HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2724

BYRepresentatives Haugen, S. Wilson and Fraser

Authorizing fees to fund aquifer protection area water monitoring.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Horn, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Phillips, Raiter, Rayburn and Wood.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives Kirby, Wolfe and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JANUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Aquifer protection areas are financing devices that voters may authorize a county to create for the protection of subterranean water from pollution or degradation.  A ballot proposition is submitted to voters inquiring if such a financing device should be created and specifying a maximum rate of fee on either, or both, the withdrawal of subterranean water or on-site sewage disposal that may be imposed within the aquifer protection area. The fees are measured and described in terms of a dollar amount per household unit.

If authorized, such fees may finance the: (1) preparation of a comprehensive plan to protect, preserve, and rehabilitate such subterranean water; (2) construction of facilities related to the protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of subterranean water, including storm or sanitary sewers; (3) proportionate reduction of special assessments imposed to finance such facilities; and (4) monitoring and inspecting on-site sewage disposal systems or community sewage disposal systems.

Voters residing over the Spokane/Rathrum aquifer authorized the creation of an aquifer protection area.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Voters could authorize fees for the withdrawal of water that are imposed within an aquifer protection area to be measured and described on the basis of a dollar amount per gallon, instead of a monthly household amount.  However, a fee described on the basis of a dollar amount per gallon of water cannot be imposed on the withdrawal of water for agricultural irrigation purposes.

Fees imposed within an aquifer protection area could be used to:  (1) monitor the quality and quantity of subterranean water used for domestic purposes and to enforce compliance with rules relating to the quality and quantity of subterranean water used for domestic purposes; and (2) construct public water systems.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Language was added:  (1) prohibiting the imposition of fees upon agricultural irrigation that are described in terms of a dollar amount per gallon of water; and (2) permitting the fees to finance the construction of public water facilities.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Martin Boon, Island County Dairy Council Federation.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This permits the aquifer protection areas to be used in places other than Spokane, such as Island and Thurston Counties.  Voters must approve the creation of the area, and the maximum level of fees.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Original bill - Committee discussion).  Fees based upon a dollar amount per gallon of water withdrawn should not be imposed on agricultural irrigation.