SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1317

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Zellinsky, Ferguson, Dellwo, Cooper, Haugen, Winsley, Spanel, Bumgarner and Holm)

Revising requirements for publishing notices of actions of cities, towns, and counties.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Zimmerman, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan.

Senate Staff:Desley Brooks (786-7443); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  February 23, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

A city or town is required to publish the text of any ordinance in its official newspaper promptly after adoption of the ordinance.  Cities or towns with populations of 3,000 or less may publish a summary of the intent and content of an adopted ordinance in their official newspaper.

A county is required to publish the text of a proposed ordinance in the notice of a public hearing on the proposed ordinance that is published in the official newspaper of the county.  However, if a code is adopted by reference a county merely can publish the full official title and a description of the general purpose of the proposed ordinance.

SUMMARY:

The publication requirements for proposed and adopted ordinances are changed.  Cities and towns are allowed to publish summaries of the content of adopted ordinances in their official newspapers in lieu of publishing the text of the adopted ordinances.  Counties are allowed to publish summaries of the content of proposed ordinances in lieu of publishing the entire text of proposed ordinances.  A mistake of omission in publishing the text or summary of an ordinance, or proposed ordinance, shall not render the ordinance invalid.

Second class cities, third class cities and towns that are soliciting the submission of bids on proposed public works projects may publish notices in a newspaper of general circulation most likely to bring responsive bids, instead of the official newspaper of the city or town.

Any notice required to be published concerning planning or zoning regulations, or proposed subdivisions, may identify the affected property without using a legal description.  The affected property may be identified by an address, written description, vicinity map, or other reasonable means.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Due to a drafting error the word "of" was used, rather than "or", in the phrase "a mistake of omission".  The amendment changes the "of" to "or" and adds "inadvertent" before "mistake."

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Stan Finkelstein, AWC (pro); Linda Ruehle, City of Issaquah (pro); Shirlee Kinney, City of Fife (pro); Jan Hubbard, City of Auburn (pro); Paul Conrad Allied Daily Newspapers (con)