Brief Description: Requiring consultation between counties, cities, and towns before siting homeless camps.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Nixon, Lovick, Ericks, Clements, Shabro, Darneille, Miloscia and Springer.

Hearing Date: 2/3/05

Staff: CeCe Clynch (786-7168).

Background:

Currently, there are no provisions in law requiring a county to consult with a city before authorizing the siting of a homeless encampment near the city. In the recent past, there has been at least one occasion when a city received only a few days notice before the erection of a nearby homeless encampment which had been approved by the county.

Summary of Bill:

A new section is added to Chapter 36.01 RCW requiring that a county consult with any affected city at least 15 days before issuing authorization for a homeless encampment if the encampment:

• is fully or partially within a city;
• shares a common boundary with a city; or
• is within one thousand feet of a city boundary.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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