HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2495


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 sale, lease, or conveyance of municipal property in commercial areas to private parties for free public parking facilities in cities with populations over three hundred thousand.

Brief Description: Repealing provisions addressing the sale, lease, or conveyance of municipal property in commercial areas to private parties for free public parking facilities in cities with populations over three hundred thousand.

Sponsors: Representatives Simpson, Pedersen, Nelson, Santos and Hasegawa.

Brief History:

Local Government: 1/15/08, 1/18/08 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Repeals statutes regulating specified municipalities with respect to the conveyance of interests in unused real property to a private corporation or association established to develop and maintain free public parking facilities.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Takko, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Minority Member; Eddy, Nelson and Schmick.

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

Chapter 35.87 of the Revised Code of Washington regulates real estate transactions by certain large municipalities regarding the conveyance of specified types of real property to a private corporation or association established to develop and maintain free public parking facilities. The statutory scheme applies only to those municipalities with populations exceeding 300,000 which, subject to specified requirements, must allow a qualifying corporation or association the first right of purchase or lease with respect to the acquisition of an interest in the property.

The conveyance of the property interest by the municipality must comply with the following requirements:

The statutory provisions set forth in the chapter are not applicable with respect to the sale, lease, or conveyance of property to any federal, state, or municipal entity or agency.


Summary of Bill:

The act repeals RCW chapter 35.87 in its entirety.


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) The statutes being repealed apply only to Seattle and are completely obsolete. There are no longer any commercial business interests that use these statutes for the purpose of creating free public parking. Furthermore, the statutes force Seattle to go through very cumbersome procedures before it can sell or convey unused property. Accordingly, the statutes create pointless delays and waste taxpayers' money. They need to be repealed in order to allow Seattle to efficiently convey its unused property without being subject to pointless procedural hurdles.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: David Foster, City of Seattle.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.