SENATE 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 Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, February 22, 2008
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: Passed House: 2/01/08, 95-0.
Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/21/08, 2/22/08 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, McDermott and Pridemore.
Staff: Cindy Calderon (786-7784)
Background: Under RCW Chapter 35.87, any city with a population over 300,000
(municipality) may sell, lease, or convey any real property, located in an area zoned for retail
business, to any private corporation for the development and maintenance of free public parking
facilities. A municipality may not charge an amount that is in excess of the fair market value of
such property. Upon the sale, lease, or conveyance, the municipality retains a lawful interest in
the property such that, if the property is no longer used as a free public parking facility, then the
property will revert back to the municipality.
Prior to the sale, lease, or conveyance a municipality must publish notice of its intention to
dispose of the property along with its description. The notice must be conspicuously placed on
the property and published in the respective county's newspaper for 15 days prior to the
disposition. The notice must offer a first right of purchase or lease to any private corporation
established to develop and maintain free public parking facilities that also agrees to dedicate such
property for free public parking. A dedication is a donation of land or creation of an easement
for public use. The notice requirements and condition of dedication does not apply to property
sold, leased, or conveyed to: the federal government or its agencies; the state or any agency,
county, city or town; or other political subdivision of this state.
Summary of Bill: Provisions governing the conveyance of land by cities with a population over 300,000 to private parties for free public parking facilities are repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Currently, before the city of Seattle can sell or convey property, it has to put out a first right of purchase for use towards a free public parking facility. With respect to conveying city owned property, there is not a demand for purchasing and using the property for free public parking.
Persons Testifying: PRO: David Foster, City of Seattle.