Title: An act relating to homeless encampment siting consultation between counties, cities, and towns.

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

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

Brief History:

Housing: 2/3/05, 2/10/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/4/05, 94-2.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Miloscia, Chair; Springer, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Dunn, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; McCune, Ormsby, Pettigrew, Schindler and Sells.

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 1,000 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.

Testimony For: The jurisdiction that is affected should be brought into the process. Although the city may not be able to stop the encampment, the city should at least receive notice and have an opportunity to voice its opinion. There was a suggestion that the word "consult" be defined. "Consult" is just a neighborly thing to do and means calling the city up and asking for their comments.

Testimony Against: This will result in bureaucratic delay. The word "consult" is vague. A requirement that a city must be notified would be okay.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor; and Dave Williams, Association of Washington Cities.

(Opposed) Ruth Shearer.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.