H-3874              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1412

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives Patrick and May

Read first time 1/15/88 and referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.

AN ACT Relating to disclosure of flood plain information by real estate brokers and salespersons; adding a new section to chapter 18.85 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 86.16 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature declares that it is the public policy of the state to encourage the full disclosure of flood hazard information to purchasers of property in areas subject to flooding.  To achieve this policy, the legislature further declares that it is the responsibility of real estate brokers and salespersons to provide to purchasers of real property information regarding possible and probable flooding of real property located in floodplains and floodways.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 18.85 RCW to read as follows:

          All real estate brokers and salespersons shall fully disclose pertinent flooding information to persons purchasing real property located within areas designated as special flood hazard areas on the most recent maps provided by the federal emergency management agency for the national flood insurance program.  Pertinent flooding information shall include:

          (1) Notice that the property is located within an area identified as a special flood hazard area by the federal emergency management agency, including notice that the property is located within either a floodway or a floodplain;

          (2) Notice of the existence of local floodplain management ordinances and information regarding how to obtain a copy;

          (3) Information regarding prior flooding that has occurred on the property, if available; and

          (4) The probability of future flooding, including the elevation of the plot in relation to the one hundred year frequency flood as designated by the federal emergency management agency.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 86.16 RCW to read as follows:

          The department of ecology shall adopt state-wide standards and guidelines for facilities designed to retain or detain stormwater runoff.  These standards shall include a requirement that stormwater runoff facilities be inspected and maintained on at least an annual basis.