Title: An act relating to Island county boundaries.

Brief Description: Modifying the boundary provision for Island county.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Bailey, Schindler and Strow).

Brief History:

Local Government: 1/26/06 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/8/06, 98-0.
Passed Senate: 3/2/06, 46-0.
Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Clibborn, Vice Chair; Schindler, Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; B. Sullivan, Takko and Woods.

Staff: Kasa Tupua (786-7291).

Background:

The Oregon Territorial Legislature first created Island County on January 6, 1853. In 1891 the Washington Legislature modified the statute to establish county boundaries for Island County that include the following islands:

• Whidbey;
• Camano;
• Smith's Deception; and
• Ure.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The statutory boundary descriptions for Island County are revised to include Strawberry, Baby, Minor, and Kalamut Islands. The description for Smith's Deception is revised to Smith Island and Deception Island, and Ure is renamed to Ben Ure Island.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Revising the Island County boundaries to include Strawberry, Baby, Minor and Kalamut Islands would correct a legislative oversight in place for over 100 years. The revised boundary descriptions are also supported in the Senate.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Barbara Bailey, prime sponsor; and Roger Sherman.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.