Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 2074
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: Relating to the petition-based annexation method for owners of property within a city or town that seek annexation to another city or town.
Sponsors: Representatives Fey, Jinkins, Sawyer and Kirby.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/18/15
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
Municipality to Municipality Annexations.
In addition to authorized methods for the annexation of unincorporated territory, current law includes multiple methods for the annexation of all or part of one city or town to another city or town.
The municipality to municipality annexation method may be initiated through a voter petition process that includes approval of the petition by the legislative body of the city or town from which the territory will be taken, and submission of the petition to the legislative body of the city or town to which annexation is proposed. If the legislative body of the city or town to which annexation is proposed agrees to the proposal, the question of annexation is put to the voters of the annexation area. If authorized by the voters, the annexation is completed through the adoption of an ordinance by the applicable city or town.
A municipality to municipality annexation may also be initiated through the adoption of a resolution, indicating its desire to be wholly or partially annexed, that is adopted by the legislative body of the city or town from which the territory will be taken and submitted to the legislative body of the city or town to which annexation is proposed. Upon compliance with public notice requirements, and absent a sufficient property owner protest, the annexation is effective if the legislative body of the city or town to which annexation is proposed adopts a resolution concurring with the annexation request of the initiating city or town.
As an alternative to voter and government-based processes, a municipality to municipality annexation may be completed through a direct petition method involving sufficient petitions signed by either:
the owners of at least 60 percent of the assessed value of the property for which annexation is proposed; or
the owners of a majority of the acreage for which annexation is proposed and a majority of the registered voters residing in the same area.
Under this direct petition method, approval of the annexation is required by the legislative bodies of the city or town from which the territory will be taken and the city or town to which annexation is proposed. Public notice and hearing requirements must be satisfied, and the municipality to municipality annexation is completed through the adoption of an ordinance by
the applicable city or town. Additionally, the direct petition method, as well as the voter and government-based municipality to municipality annexation processes, are subject to potential review by a boundary review board.
Summary of Bill:
The petition-based municipality annexation act (Act) of 2015 is declared. Substantive and procedural provisions related to the Act are not established.
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.