HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 3200


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 establishing a cemetery district in a county.

Brief Description: Establishing a cemetery district in a county.

Sponsors: Representatives Schmick, Simpson, Warnick, Schindler and Sullivan.

Brief History:

Local Government: 2/4/08 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Revises cemetery district petition requirements used in counties by allowing no less than 10 percent of registered voters residing in the proposed district to sign the petition.
  • Allows county legislative authorities to provide a ballot proposition creating the proposed cemetery district.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Takko, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Eddy, Nelson and Schmick.

Staff: Lyset Cadena (786-7291) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

Cemetery districts may be established to acquire, maintain, manage, improve, and operate cemeteries and conduct any of the businesses of a cemetery.

A petition to create a cemetery district must be signed by no less than 15 percent of the registered voters that reside within the boundaries of the proposed district. The petition must designate the boundaries of the proposed district or describe the lands to be included in the proposed district. After the petition has been verified by the county auditor, the county legislative authority must fix a date and time for the public hearing. If the county legislative authority finds the creation of a cemetery district to be conducive to public welfare and convenience, the county legislative authority must designate the name and number of the district and fix the boundaries.


Summary of Bill:

A proposed cemetery district petition must be signed by no less than 10 percent of the registered voters that reside within the boundaries of the proposed district.

A county legislative authority may provide a ballot proposition to create a cemetery district. The ballot proposition must designate the boundaries of the proposed district or describe the lands to be included in the proposed district. The ballot proposition must be submitted to the voters residing within the proposed district.


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) Some counties have experienced difficulty in attaining the signatures required to create a cemetery district. In Asotin County, one cemetery association has had a difficult time operating and attaining all the signatures required to create a cemetery district. The cemetery association has experienced difficulty attaining the signatures required to create a cemetery district. In lowering the signature requirement for cemetery districts, the cemetery association will be able to collect the signatures required and will receive public funding to keep the cemetery in operation.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Schmick, prime sponsor; and Jim Potts, Asotin City.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.