Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Judiciary Committee |
ESSB 6286
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. |
Title: An act relating to the liability and powers of cities, diking districts, and flood control zone districts.
Brief Description: Concerning the liability and powers of cities, diking districts, and flood control zone districts.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Haugen, Tom, Keiser, Kauffman and McDermott).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/17/10
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
Counties may adopt comprehensive flood control management plans for any drainage basin that is located wholly or partially within the county. Whenever any river flows through two counties, the counties may contract with each other for the purposes of flood control and settling disputes regarding flood control.
No action may be brought against a county alone or acting jointly with another county for any non-contractual acts or omissions of the county, its agents, officers, or employees related to the improvement, protection, regulation, and control for flood prevention and navigation purposes of any river or its tributaries and its beds, banks, and waters.
In addition to counties managing flood waters, special districts may be created for the purposes of flood control. Diking districts may be created in any portion of a county requiring diking. Flood control districts may be organized in a city, in any part of a county, or among counties for purposes that include the planning, development, acquisition, management, or maintenance of any facilities necessary to control floods, lessen their dangers, or reduce damages. Flood control zone districts are authorized to create zones within a county for the purpose of developing or operating flood control projects or storm water control projects. Flood control zone districts have a variety of enumerated powers, such as the authority to exercise all powers vested in a county for flood water or storm water control and to take action necessary to protect life and property within the district.
Summary of Bill:
Cities, diking districts, and flood control zone districts are added to the statute granting immunity to counties. No action may be brought against any city, diking district, or flood control zone district for any non-contractual acts or omissions of the city, diking district, or flood control zone district, or any of its agents, officers, or employees relating to the improvement, protection, regulation, and control for flood prevention and navigation purposes of any river or its tributaries.
To protect life and property within the flood control zone district from flood water damage, the district may use covered volunteer emergency workers in accordance with the terms of the emergency management act. A flood control zone district may also provide grant funds to political subdivisions of the state that are located within the boundaries of the zone, so long as the use of the grant funds is within the flood control district's authorized purposes.
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.