FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2036

                                  C 319 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Ebersole, Brough, Wang and Schoon)

Modifying the regulations for metropolitan park districts.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Metropolitan park districts are special districts authorized to provide park and recreation improvements.  A metropolitan park district is authorized to impose a property tax levy of up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation and to issue general indebtedness without voter approval, together with other outstanding non-voter-approved general indebtedness, not exceeding an amount equal to three-fortieths of one percent of the value of taxable property in the park district.

A metropolitan park district may sell its surplus property if authorized by a unanimous vote of its board of park commissioners and if the property no longer is suitable for park or other recreational purposes.  Property that was obtained by donation or dedication may be disposed of only if consent is obtained from the donor or dedicator, or his or her heirs, successors, or assigns.

The only metropolitan park district that exists in the state is the Tacoma Metropolitan Park District.  This district is slightly larger than the City of Tacoma.

SUMMARY:

The total amount of non-voter-approved general indebtedness that a metropolitan park district may incur is increased from three-fortieths of one percent of the value of taxable property in the district to one-eighth of one percent of the value of taxable property in the district.

Metropolitan park districts are permitted to issue and sell revenue bonds payable from their operating revenues.

A metropolitan park district may sell its property if the park board unanimously declares the property to be surplus, instead of no longer suitable, for park and other recreational purposes.  Before selling property obtained by donation or dedication, a metropolitan park district must obtain the consent of the donor or dedicator, or his or her heirs, successors, or assigns, if the instrument conveying the property to the district requires such approval.  Where approval is required and the donor or dedicator, or his or her heirs, successors, or assigns cannot be located after a reasonable search, the metropolitan park district may petition the superior court to approve the sale.

A metropolitan park district that contains a city with a population of greater than 100,000 may commission its own police officers with full police powers to enforce the laws and regulations of the city or county on metropolitan park district property.  Police officers initially employed after June 30, 1989, shall be required to successfully complete basic law enforcement training provided by the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

The board of park commissioners of a metropolitan park district that includes a city with a population of greater that 100,000 may submit to the electorate of territory to be annexed a proposition that all property within the territory be assessed and taxed to pay for the outstanding indebtedness of the park district at the same rate as the remainder of the property in the park district.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 86  11

      Senate    48     0

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989