SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 39

BYRepresentatives Haugen, Zellinsky and P. King 

Changing provisions related to special districts.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  March 26, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

A number of special districts can be created to provide diking, drainage and flood control improvements.  These districts are characterized by:  (1) voting rights restricted to property owners; and (2) facilities and services funded by the imposition of special assessments.

Most of the laws relating to these districts were enacted in the 1890's and early 1900's.  Legislation to modernize and standardize applicable statutes was enacted in 1985 and 1986.

SUMMARY:

The general laws relating to special districts that provide diking, drainage, and flood control facilities and services are altered as follows:

(1)  Territory may be transferred between two adjoining districts, following the procedure by which a district annexes territory.  Property, facilities and improvements may also be transferred.  The concurrence of the governing bodies of both districts is also required.

(2) An appointee filling a vacancy on a district governing body will serve only until a person is elected at the next district general election occurring 60 or more days after the occurrence of the vacancy, rather than serving for the remainder of the six-year term of office.

(3)  An incomplete sentence in the 1986 laws is corrected to clarify that special assessment bonds are payable only from assessments imposed under the system enacted in 1986, which must be adopted by the county legislative authority for the district.

(4)  Performance bonds posted by members of a district governing body must be filed with the county clerk, instead of the county treasurer, of the county within which all or the greatest portion of the district is located.

(5)  The requirement that construction contracts over $10,000 in value be awarded by competitive bidding is deleted.  The provision establishing a $5,000 ceiling for construction of improvements by district employees, with an exception for volunteer labor, is preserved.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one