Title: An act relating to the annexation by a city, code city, or town of a portion of a rural county library district.

Brief Description: Providing for the annexation of a portion of a rural county library district by a city, code city, or town.

Sponsors: Senators Prentice, Fairley, Weinstein and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/27/07, 3/05/07 [DPS, DNP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5522 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Hatfield, Hewitt, Hobbs, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, Rasmussen, Roach, Rockefeller and Schoesler.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Fairley and Honeyford.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Oemig, Regala and Tom.

Staff: Dean Carlson (786-7305)

Background: Under current law, statutes exist that deal with the assumption of water and sewer districts, fire districts, and road districts when a city annexes an area that contains a portion of one of these districts. Among other things, these statutes provide guidelines on asset transfer, capital investment completion, and services to be provided. However, the law is silent in this regard when it comes to a city, code city, or town annexing a portion of a rural county library district (RCLD).

Summary of Bill: Any city or town that annexes an area that includes a portion of a RCLD may adopt an ordinance to assume jurisdiction for purposes of library services. Upon assumption, all real and personal property, rights, assets, and taxes levied, but not collected must become the property of the city.

Upon annexation, any buildings and equipment of the RCLD located within the annexed area, must be transferred to the city. Any planned improvements or new construction of facilities must either be completed by the RCLD, or the RCLD shall transfer that portion of bond proceeds to the city in order to complete the project.

When the annexation occurs, an appraisal must be conducted of the RCLD materials and collections. The RCLD must pay to the city an amount representing the proportionate value of the annexed area. The city may only use these funds for the purchase of library assets.

An agreement on the distribution of assets between the city and the RCLD must be made within 90 days of the annexation. If no agreement can be made, then it must go to arbitration.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Ways & Means): The provisions of the act only apply in counties with a population over one million persons.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 25, 2007.

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: Seattle and Renton are not part of the King County Library System (KCLS) and provide their own library services. Seattle and Renton are looking to annex certain areas. The law is silent on how these assumptions should take place. The people within the areas are KCLS taxpayers that have voted to tax themselves for library services. We would like an orderly transfer of library services for the annexed areas. We are Currently negotiating with KCLS and are open for the bill to be narrowed to King County.

CON: We oppose the bill as currently written. These annexations have been going on for years and have always been negotiated. This has worked well. We don't think the process should be a one size fits all process.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Suzanne Dale-Estey, citizen.

CON: Dan Gottlieb, King County Library System.