Brief Description: Providing for proceedings for excluding agricultural land from the boundaries of a charter or noncharter code city.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Spanel.

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on Local Government

Background: A code city can reduce city limits through an election initiated in two ways: (1) a petition filed with the city; or (2) by a resolution calling for the election passed by the legislative body of the city. If three fifths of the votes cast favor the city limit reduction, the legislative body of the city is required to adopt an ordinance effecting the reduction.

Summary: Property owners of agricultural land may petition for exclusion from the incorporated area of a code city. The petition must be signed by owners of 100 percent of the land and if residents exist within the area, a majority of registered voters residing within the area.

The petition must set forth a legal description of the territory to be excluded, and must be submitted to the legislative body of the city. When the petition is filed with the legislative body, the body must set a date for public hearing on the petition within 60 days. After the hearing, if the legislative body determines to effect the exclusion, they must do so by ordinance. The petition is not submitted to the voters for approval.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      94   0

Effective: July 24, 2005