Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government & Housing Committee |
SB 5507
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. |
Brief Description: Protecting sole source aquifers by providing sewer utility service to mobile home parks.
Sponsors: Senators Marr and Brown.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/18/09
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129)
Background:
Counties, cities, and towns are prohibited from requiring an existing mobile home park to replace existing, functional septic systems with a sewer system unless the local board of health determines that the septic system is failing.
Counties, cities, and towns are also prohibited from requiring existing mobile home parks to pay any charges related to available, but unused, sewer services, or other charges associated with such unused services. Mobile home parks that are connected to a community sewer system can only be charged prospectively from the date of connection.
Summary of Bill:
Any county lying east of the Cascade crest with a population exceeding 400,000, and any city within such county, may require a mobile home park to connect to a sewer system, provided that:
the mobile home park lies above a federally designated sole source aquifer;
a sewer system is available for connection to the mobile home park;
connection to the sewer system is necessary so as to ensure the protection of drinking water supplies from the aquifer; and
the cost of connecting to the sewer system on a per unit basis is reasonable and comparable to the current estimated average cost of connecting single-family residences to the sewer system.
A county, city, or town enacting such a requirement should identify and extend financial assistance programs to the mobile home park relating to expenses incurred in relation to the sewer connection. This may include, but is not limited to, local, state, or federal affordable housing programs, water quality protection grant and loan programs, and public health, safety, and welfare programs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.