HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1291

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 & Housing

Title: An act relating to library district annexations.

Brief Description: Changing library district annexation provisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Maxwell, Simpson, Green, Rodne, Clibborn, Hasegawa, Ormsby, Orwall, Liias, Hudgins, Johnson, Sullivan and Hunter.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government & Housing: 1/29/09, 2/2/09 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Amends the statute regarding annexation of cities and towns into rural library districts by increasing the maximum population from 100,000 to 300,000.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Nelson, Vice Chair; Angel, Ranking Minority Member; Ericksen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cox, Miloscia, Short, Springer, Upthegrove, White and Williams.

Staff: Sara del Moral (786-7291); Thamas Osborn (786-7129)

Background:

State law provides for the establishment, management, and operation of different categories of public libraries. In addition to public libraries established by cities, towns, and counties, state law authorizes the establishment of rural county library districts, island library districts, and intercounty rural library districts. The service areas of these special districts are as follows:

In addition, state law allows cities and towns with populations of 100,000 or less at the time of annexation to become part of such library districts. They may do this by adopting an ordinance stating the intent to join the library district.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The maximum population that a city or town may have at the time of annexation into a library district is increased from 100,000 to 300,000.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Adds a provision to align the definitions of rural county library district, island library district, and intercounty rural library district with the provisions of the original bill.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Renton is considering annexing territory and it is also considering being annexed into the King County Library System (KCLS). Library services could be provided more efficiently as part of the KCLS. But if Renton becomes larger, the population will be greater than 100,000, and it will not be annexed into the KCLS. Renton would like to give this opportunity to voters. This bill simply gives options; it is not a mandate.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Rep. Maxwell, prime sponsor; Suzanne D. Esty, City of Renton; and Bill Ptacek, King County Library System.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.