SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6139

BYSenate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin and Garrett)

Eliminating boundary review boards.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6139 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

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

                  January 21, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

State law creates a boundary review board in every class AA (King) and A (Pierce, Spokane, and Snohomish) county, and permits a boundary review board to be created in all other counties.  In these counties, boundary review boards may be created by either resolution of the county legislative authority or by a petition method (no boundary review boards have been formed by the petition method).  A boundary review board has been created by resolution of the county legislative authority in each of the following counties:  Benton, Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kitsap, Pacific, Skagit, Skamania, Thurston, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Yakima.

Boundary review boards may review and approve, reject, or modify and approve the creation, dissolution, annexation, or consolidation of governmental units, defined to be cities, towns, and special purpose districts (sewer, water, fire protection, drainage and diking improvement, flood control zone, irrigation, metropolitan park, drainage, or public utility district engaged in water distribution).

The factors to be considered by a boundary review board and the objectives of a boundary review board are stated in statute.

SUMMARY:

The chapter creating boundary review boards is repealed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Jim Williams, Association of Counties; Bob Roegner, Mayor of Auburn, Association of Washington Cities; Kent Swisher, AWC; Jean Worthen, past Chair, King County BRB; Rob Higgins, City of Spokane; Joe Daniels, Washington Association of Water-Wastewater Districts