SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6140

BYSenators McCaslin, Garrett and Lee

Changing provisions relating to filing notice of proposed actions with boundary review boards.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):

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

AS OF JANUARY 20, 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:

Boundary review boards are prohibited from reviewing proposed city or town incorporations.  The procedure for incorporation would be the same as now exists in those counties which do not have a boundary review board.

The county legislative authority of the county in which the proposed city or town is located shall hold a public hearing on the proposed incorporation.  However, a county legislative authority may not disapprove a proposed incorporation unless the area of proposed incorporation does not contain the required population.  The initial election on the question of incorporation shall be held at the next special election date that occurs 60 or more days after the final public hearing by the county legislative authority.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested