| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Local Government Committee | |
SSB 6555
Brief Description: Providing research and services for special purpose districts.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Haugen, Mulliken, Berkey, Kastama and Rasmussen).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/22/06
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).
Background:
Special Purpose Districts
Local governmental functions are generally performed by counties, cities, and towns. However,
Washington law also creates a multitude of smaller governmental entities known as "special
purpose districts," which are authorized to provide a wide range of highly specialized functions
and services not ordinarily provided by the larger units of local government. The creation,
authority, duties, and dissolution of special purpose districts are controlled by statutory
procedures.
Most special purpose districts perform a single function, although some serve a broader range of
purposes. As of 2003, there were approximately 1,700 special purpose districts in this state,
encompassing approximately 80 different categories. Among the numerous categories of
"special purpose districts" are the following:
Municipal Research Council
The Municipal Research Council (Council) is a state agency whose mission is to provide cities
and counties in Washington State with an affordable source of research, consultation services,
and technical expertise. The Council consists of fourteen members appointed by the President of
the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and various other agencies and organizations. The
Council's funding is derived from a percentage of both the liquor excise tax and the liquor sales
profits distributed to local governments. The programs of the Council are implemented through
a contract with a non-profit organization known as the Municipal Research and Services Center
(MRSC).
The MRSC is an independent, non-profit organization created in 1969 to implement the
programs of the Council by providing professional consultation, research, and information
services to local governments in the State of Washington. The MRSC is governed by a board of
directors consisting of local government officials as well as citizen members. Although the
MRSC does not engage in political activity, it works in cooperation with the Washington State
Association of Counties, the Association of Washington Cities, and the Washington Association
of County Officials.
The Council is not currently authorized to provide research or consulting services to special
purpose districts.
Summary of Bill:
Research and Consulting Services for Special Purpose Districts
The Council is authorized to contract for the provision of research and consulting services to
special purpose districts. The contract must be with a state agency, educational institution or
consulting firm that the Council determines is qualified to provide such services.
The research and services provided to special purpose districts under the contract must consist of
the following:
Funding of Research and Consulting Services for Special Purpose Districts
The funding of the services provided to special purpose districts shall consist of moneys
transferred by the Legislature to a designated "special purpose district research services account"
in the state treasury. The funds in the account are derived from a portion of state liquor sales
revenues. The Treasurer is authorized to deposit funds into the account in accordance with
specified procedures. Moneys in the account may only be spent after legislative appropriation
and are subject to the budgetary allotment process.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 16, 2006.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.