HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1258
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Local Government
Title: An act relating to the disbursement of funds by air pollution control agencies.
Brief Description: Changing the disbursement of funds by air pollution control agencies.
Sponsors: Representatives Alexander, Hunt, Curtis and Simpson.
Brief History:
Local Government: 1/23/07 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Eddy, Vice Chair; Curtis, Ranking Minority Member; Ross, B. Sullivan and Takko.
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
Local air pollution control authorities (authorities) are established by the Washington Clean
Air Act. Each authority is a municipal corporation that is responsible for carrying out
specified duties and exercising powers as provided by law. Each of Washington's 39 counties
has an authority created within it; however, some county authorities are inactive. Counties
with inactive authorities are served by the Washington Department of Ecology's Air Quality
Program. Seven multi-county authorities have been formed by county boards of
commissioners by combining county authorities with the authorities of adjacent counties.
Each authority is governed by a board of directors (board). The board of an activated
authority has specific administrative and other powers prescribed in statute.
The treasurer of each component city, town, or county within an authority must create a
separate fund for monies collected from taxes or other sources that are levied by or obtained
for activated authorities. These monies must be forwarded quarterly by the treasurer of each
applicable local government to a county treasurer designated by the board as its treasurer.
This authority treasurer must establish and maintain the resulting funds as authorized by the
board.
Monies expended from these funds must be disbursed through warrants drawn by a county
auditor designated by the board as its auditor. The respective county must be reimbursed by
the board for services rendered by the authority treasurer and auditor in connection with the
receipt and disbursement of funds.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
Monies collected for an air pollution control authority in accordance with specified
provisions may be disbursed upon warrants drawn either by an authority or a county auditor
designated by the authority's board of directors.
Air pollution control authority boards are not required to reimburse counties for services
rendered by county treasurers in connection with the receipt of authority monies.
Additionally, a number of technical changes are made.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
A provision requiring air pollution control authority boards to reimburse counties for services
rendered by county treasurers in connection with the receipt of authority monies is deleted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support of original bill) The bill represents legislation that the Committee heard in
previous sessions and would benefit from an amendment. The bill is good legislation that
makes good sense. This bill will enable pollution control authorities to produce their own
warrants. Authorities have the resources to perform this check-writing function, and
permitting them to do so will allow them to use resources more efficiently and to be more
responsive to customers.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Alexander, prime sponsor; and Richard Steadman, Olympic Region Clean Air Agency.