AN ACT Relating to improvement districts; amending RCW 35.44.020; adding a new section to chapter 35.43 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.69 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.88 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.94 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 52.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 53.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 54.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 56.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 57.16 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 87.03 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. Section 35.44.020, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 as last amended by section 4, chapter 397, Laws of 1985 and RCW 35.44.020 are each amended to read as follows:

There shall be included in the cost and expense of every local improvement for assessment against the property in the district created to pay the same, or any part thereof:

(1) The cost of all of the construction or improvement authorized for the district including, but not limited to, that portion of the improvement within the street intersections;

(2) The estimated cost and expense of all engineering and surveying necessary for the improvement done under the supervision of the city or town engineer;

(3) The estimated cost and expense of ascertaining the ownership of the lots or parcels of land included in the assessment district;

(4) The estimated cost and expense of advertising, mailing, and publishing all necessary notices;

(5) The estimated cost and expense of accounting, clerical labor, and of books and blanks extended or used on the part of the city or town clerk and city or town treasurer in connection with the improvement;

(6) All cost of the acquisition of rights of way, property, easements, or other facilities or rights, whether by eminent domain, purchase, gift, or in any other manner;

(7) The cost for legal, financial, and appraisal services and any other expenses incurred by the city or town for the district or in the formation thereof, or by the city or town in connection with such construction or improvement and in the financing thereof, including the issuance of any bonds and the cost of providing for increases in the local improvement guaranty fund, or providing for a separate reserve fund or other security for the payment of principal of and interest on such bonds. After its use as security, money paid by a property owner into a separate reserve fund, and any other security provided by a property owner, shall be used to defray all or a portion of the last installment payments associated with the property, or shall be returned to the property owner.

Any of the costs set forth in this section may be excluded from the cost and expense to be assessed against the property in such local improvement district and may be paid from any other moneys available therefor if the legislative body of the city or town so designates by ordinance at any time.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 35.43 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a local improvement district or utility local improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed local improvement district or utility local improvement district, or included in the ordinance creating the local improvement district or utility local improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a local improvement district or utility local improvement district by initiating the improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 36.69 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a local improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed local improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a local improvement district by initiating the local improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 36.88 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a county road improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed county road improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a county road improvement district by initiating the county road improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 36.94 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a local improvement district or utility local improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed local improvement district or utility local improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a local improvement district or utility local improvement district by initiating the improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 52.20 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a local improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed local improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a local improvement district by initiating the improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 53.08 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a local improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed local improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a local improvement district by initiating the improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 54.16 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a local utility district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed local utility district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a local utility district by initiating the local utility district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 56.20 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a utility local improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed utility local improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a utility local improvement district by initiating the utility local improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 57.16 RCW to read as follows:

The total cost of the improvements financed by a local improvement district or utility local improvement district may not exceed two hundred percent of the estimated total cost of the improvements that is published in the notices for the public hearing on the proposed local improvement district or utility local improvement district. A higher total cost may be authorized for a local improvement district or utility local improvement district by initiating the improvement district again, using the resolution or petition method.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 87.03 RCW to read as follows: