SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6313

As of January 25, 2016

Title: An act relating to modifying the appointment process for trustees of rural county library districts in counties with one million or more residents.

Brief Description: Modifying the appointment process for trustees of rural county library districts in counties with one million or more residents.

Sponsors: Senators Fain and Mullet.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Security: 1/25/16.

Staff: Alex Kearns (786-7416)

Background: Library Districts. Counties, cities, towns, and library districts are authorized to establish and maintain public libraries either separately or in cooperation with one another. Rural county library districts are public corporations that provide library services in county areas not included in incorporated cities and towns. Districts are established by petition and are governed by a five-member board of library trustees appointed by the county board of commissioners. Library trustees are required to adopt library rules and regulations, employ a librarian and library assistants, prepare a library budget for the county board of commissioners, and control the library finances. Library trustees serve for five years and may not be appointed for more than two consecutive terms.

Home Rule Charter. The Washington Constitution provides for two forms of county government: (1) a "commission" form to be established through general laws by the Legislature; and (2) a "Home Rule" charter form, which any county may choose to adopt. Seven of the state's 39 counties have adopted home rule charters.

Under a commission form, the county has a three or five-member board of commissioners, elected on a partisan basis, who serve as the county's legislative body and also perform executive functions. Under a home rule charter form, the county charter may provide for a form of government different from a commission form - e.g., with a council/executive form, a county executive serves as the head of the executive branch and a county council serves as the legislative branch.

Summary of Bill: In any county with an adopted home rule charter and 1 million or more residents, a rural county library district's board of trustees must be composed of seven trustees. Trustees are appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the legislative authority. All trustees must be residents of either: (1) those cities and towns that, through annexation, have become part of the district; or (2) unincorporated areas of the county. Trustees must represent the geographic diversity of the district. The initial seven-member board will be comprised of the existing five trustees, who will serve out their existing terms, and two new trustees, who will have initial terms of one and two years respectively. Trustees are appointed to serve five-year terms.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a technical-level fix that will allow for more participation in the King County library board. It will also provide the opportunity for rural and unincorporated area residents to be represented on the library board.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Fain, Prime Sponsor; David Foster, King County.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: Gary Wasdin, Director, King County Library System; Abby Moore, Washington Library Association.