SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5243

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 authorizing certain public facilities districts to acquire, construct, own, remodel, maintain, equip, reequip, repair, finance, and operate one or more recreational facilities other than a ski area with voter approval.

Brief Description: Concerning certain public facilities district's authorization to acquire, construct, own, remodel, maintain, equip, reequip, repair, finance, and operate one or more recreational facilities other than a ski area with voter approval.

Background: A public facilities district (PFD) is a municipal corporation authorized to provide and operate convention, conference, and special event facilities. The legislative authority of any city or town that is located in a county with fewer than one million people may create a PFD by resolution. In addition, any three cities or towns with contiguous borders that have already each formed a local PFD may form another regional PFD by agreement, so long as their combined population is at least 160,000 people. The regional PFD and local PFDs may exist and operate fully within the same geographic area.

PFDs are authorized to acquire and operate regional centers. Regional centers are convention, conference, and special event centers used for community events, sporting events, and cultural exhibitions. A regional PFD created by a group of three contiguous cities or towns is also authorized to acquire and operate recreational facilities, not including ski areas. In exercising its authority to establish a regional center or recreational facility, a regional PFD of this type must obtain voter approval to fund the project.

Summary of Bill: A local PFD created by a city or town that has also participated in the creation of a regional PFD—with three or more contiguous cities or towns—may establish recreational facilities, not including ski areas. If establishing a recreational facility, the local PFD must obtain voter approval to fund the project. The powers that local PFDs possess with regards to regional centers apply to recreational facilities.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is one of Pasco's top legislative priorities. Right now, county and regional public facilities districts can utilize their existing revenue options to fund recreational facilities but city public facilities districts cannot. The residents of Pasco want to fund an aquatic center and have indicated a willingness to pay for it using existing authority, which is a 2/10th voter approved sales tax. This bill would allow them to do that.