Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2188

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: Authorizing the annexation of territory outside of, contiguous to, and that receives services from a diking district.

Sponsors: Representatives Takko and Blake.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes diking districts to annex territory that is contiguous to and receives services from the district.

  • Establishes related annexation provisions and requirements.

Hearing Date: 1/15/14

Staff: Amanda Ondrick (786-7296).

Background:

Diking Districts

A diking district (district or districts) is a special purpose district charged with constructing and maintaining a system of dikes. Among other powers, districts may straighten, widen, and deepen waterways considered a flood threat. Districts may also construct dikes, drains, ditches, and other infrastructure to reduce flood risk. Districts are generally governed by a three-member board of elected officials.

Summary of Bill:

Districts may annex territory that is contiguous to the district and that receives services from the district. Territory bounded by a body of water is considered contiguous to a district as long as the same body of water also binds the district.

In exercising the annexation authority, the district must adopt a resolution of its intent to annex the territory. The district must also hold a public hearing and publish a notice of the hearing in a newspaper and notify property owners by mail. After the public hearing, the districts's governing body must decide whether to recommend the annexation to the legislative authority of the county in which the territory proposed for annexation is located.

If the governing body recommends the annexation, the county legislative authority must conduct a public hearing and notify property owners by mail. After this public hearing, the county legislative authority must decide whether to approve, modify, or reject the annexation proposal. If the county legislative authority decides to approve the annexation, they must do so by ordinance.

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.