HB 1561-S.E - DIGEST
(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/14/2008)

Provides that a watershed management partnership formed under the authority of RCW 39.34.210, and a separate legal entity established by such a partnership to conduct the cooperative undertaking of the partnership under the same statutory authority, may exercise the power of eminent domain as provided in chapter 8.12 RCW.

Provides that the eminent domain authority granted under this act may be exercised only for those utility purposes for which the watershed management partnership was formed.

Applies only to a watershed management partnership that: (1) Was formed before July 1, 2006, under the authority of RCW 39.34.200 and 39.34.210;

(2) Is not engaged in planning or in implementing a plan for a water resource inventory area under the terms of chapter 90.82 RCW;

(3) Is composed entirely of cities and water-sewer districts authorized to exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by chapter 8.12 RCW; and

(4) Is governed by a board of directors consisting entirely of elected officials from the cities and water-sewer districts that constitute the watershed management partnership.