SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6445

BYSenators Bluechel, Talmadge, Zimmerman, DeJarnatt, McDonald, Williams, Nelson, Metcalf and Fleming

Authorizing metropolitan municipal corporations to impose sewer connection charges.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Patterson, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453)

                  February 5, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Metropolitan municipal corporations have the authority to operate sewage collection and treatment facilities.  They do not have the authority to impose connection charges upon new customers of these facilities in addition to the uniform rates that all customers pay.

A connection charge would enable a metropolitan municipal corporation to require that new customers pay their proportionate share of the capital costs of sewage facilities to match the sum already paid by existing customers through regularly imposed rates.

Sewer districts have the authority to impose liens against property to enforce collection of delinquent connection and sewage disposal charges.  If the charges are delinquent for more than 60 days, the lien may be satisfied in a foreclosure action against the property.  Sewer districts may allow the payment of connection charges in installments over a period not exceeding 15 years.

SUMMARY:

Metropolitan municipal corporations engaged in transmission, treatment and disposal of sewage may impose a charge on property owners seeking to connect to their sewage facilities.  The charge will be established by the metropolitan municipal corporation's governing council.  It may not exceed the proportionate share of the system's capital cost attributable to the property being charged.

The charge will be a lien against the property being served and may be collected in any manner available to sewer districts.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Alan Bluechel (for); Paul Barden, King County Council (for); Charles Royer, Mayor of Seattle (for); Nan Campbell, Mayor of Bellevue (for); Don Chance, Seattle Master Builders Association (against); Ed Thorpe, Coalition for Clean Water (for)