BILL REQ. #:  S-0271.1 

Read first time 01/30/09.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to public notification of industrial development levies by port districts; and adding a new section to chapter 53.36 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 53.36 RCW to read as follows:
     If a port district intends to levy a tax under RCW 53.36.100, the port commission must hold a public hearing within twenty days of publication of notice of the intention as required in RCW 53.36.100. The port commission must also provide notice of the public hearing in the official newspaper of record in the county in which the port district is located at least ten days prior to the date of the public hearing. The notice shall clearly state that the port district intends to levy a tax under RCW 53.36.100, shall contain the date, time, and location of the port district meeting at which the levy will be considered and voted upon, and must include a statement describing the amount the measure will increase or decrease taxes. For a levy authorized under RCW 53.36.100(2), the notice must clearly state that the public may gather a petition to submit the levy to the voters of the port district under the procedures set forth in RCW 53.36.100(2).