H-891                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 627

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Zellinsky, Schmidt, Haugen, Nutley and P. King

Read first time 2/4/87 and referred to Committee on Local Government.

AN ACT Relating to metropolitan park districts; amending RCW 35.61.010 and 36.69.310; and adding a new section to chapter 35.61 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 35.61 RCW to read as follows:

          A parks and recreation district under chapter 36.69 RCW may be converted to a metropolitan park district under this chapter in accordance with the procedures established under RCW 35.61.020 through 35.61.060 for creation of a metropolitan park district.  Any outstanding liability or obligation incurred by the parks and recreation district so converted shall become the responsibility of the metropolitan park district.

        Sec. 2.  Section 35.61.010, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 as amended by section 1, chapter 416, Laws of 1985 and RCW 35.61.010 are each amended to read as follows:

          Cities ((of five thousand or more population)) and such contiguous property the residents of which may decide in favor thereof in the manner set forth in this chapter may create a metropolitan park district for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, and boulevards((:  PROVIDED, That no municipal corporation of the fourth class shall be included within such metropolitan park district, and any such fourth class municipal corporation heretofore included within such district is hereby automatically withdrawn)).

        Sec. 3.  Section 36.69.310, chapter 4, Laws of 1963 and RCW 36.69.310 are each amended to read as follows:

          Any park and recreation district formed under the provisions of this chapter may be dissolved in the manner provided in chapter 53.48 RCW, relating to port districts, or converted to a metropolitan park district as provided in chapter 35.61 RCW.