HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2482
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 Passed House:
February 13, 2008
Title: An act relating to the signature validation process for petitions that seek annexation.
Brief Description: Addressing the signature validation process for petitions that seek annexation.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representative Moeller).
Brief History:
Local Government: 1/15/08, 1/18/08 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/13/08, 96-0.
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; Takko, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Minority Member; Eddy, Nelson and Schmick.
Staff: Lyset Cadena (786-7291) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
State law contains specified procedural and substantive rules governing the use of the various
voter/property owner petitions initiated in accordance with the procedures required of cities
and towns. The rules governing this petition process include those pertaining to:
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The petition requirements for cities are modified. When a petition seeks annexation, any
duly authorized corporate officer may sign a petition under oath on behalf of a corporation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Currently, many cities face challenges when the officer of a corporation has to
attach a copy of the bylaws to an annexation petition, since the bylaws do not state who has
the authority to sign a petition. The process of attaining signatures for an annexation petition
may take a city years, and in that time the corporate officer may have changed or the
corporation may have dissolved. The current law does not provide a framework to address
corporations who do not have bylaws. Allowing the corporate officer to sign an annexation
petition under oath will help streamline the annexation process.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; Dave Williams, Association of Washington Cities; Suzan Wallace, City of Vancouver; and Steve Stuart, Clark County.