HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5843

BYSenate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin, Johnson, Gaspard, Smitherman, Warnke and Wojahn)

Modifying the regulations for metropolitan park districts.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Ferguson, Ranking Republican Member; Horn, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Phillips, Raiter, Rayburn, Todd, Wolfe, Wood and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Metropolitan park districts are special districts authorized to provide park and recreation improvements, and to impose a property tax levy of up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.  Metropolitan park districts are authorized to issue general indebtedness without voter approval, together with other outstanding nonvoter-approved general indebtedness, not exceeding an amount equal to 3/40 of 1 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 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 that is slightly larger than the City of Tacoma.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The total amount of nonvoter-approved general indebtedness that a metropolitan park district may incur is increased from 3/40 of 1 percent of the value of taxable property in the district to 1/8 of 1 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. The consent of the donor or dedicator, or his or her heirs, successors, or assigns, must be obtained to sell the donated or dedicated property only if the instrument conveying the property to the district required such approval.  Where such 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 the territory sought to be annexed a proposition that all property within the area seeking to annex to the district 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.

A process is provided for territory to be withdrawn from metropolitan park districts.  This process may be initiated by petition of resident voters or resolution by the park directors. The county legislative authority holds a hearing on the proposal and can authorize the withdrawal if it finds the withdrawal to be in the public interest.  The withdrawal occurs unless a referendum petition is submitted within 30 days, that has been signed by a requisite member of resident voters.  If a sufficient petition is filed timely, an election is held at which the referendum on the withdrawal is presented to resident voters.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO SUBSTITUTE:  The withdrawal procedure was added.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jim Salatino, Metropolitan Park District.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This gives metro park districts needed flexibility.  The commissioned law enforcement officers are needed to get reimbursement for Criminal Justice Training Commission training.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.