Brief Description: Addressing boundary review board disbandings.

Sponsors: Representative Moeller.

Hearing Date: 2/1/06

Staff: Stephanie Toby (786-7106).

Background:

Boundary Review Boards (BRBs) were created by the legislature in 1967, and are authorized by statute to guide and control the creation and growth of municipalities in metropolitan areas. While statute provides for the establishment of BRBs in counties with at least 210,000 residents, current law provides that a BRB may be created and established in any other county.

The Growth Management Act establishes a comprehensive land use planning framework for county and city governments in Washington and specifies numerous provisions for jurisdictions fully planning under the Act. When a county and the cities and towns within the county have adopted comprehensive plans as required by the Act, the county may disband its BRB.

Summary of Bill:

A county legislative authority seeking to disband a BRB must submit a ballot measure proposing the disbanding to the voters of the county, and two-thirds of those who vote on the measure must approve the disbanding. If the county decides to disband a BRB after gaining the required public approval, the BRB will be terminated December 31st of that year, or six months after the ballot measure is approved, whichever is later. After the county authorizes a BRB's disbanding, the BRB may not accept additional requests for new reviews of proposed actions, but must complete all pending actions prior to disbanding.

These provisions apply to all BRBs in existence on or after January 1, 2006.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect immediately.