SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2937

BYRepresentatives H. Sommers, Phillips, Appelwick, Locke, Nelson, Anderson, Jacobsen, Valle, Crane, Leonard and O'Brien

Providing a definition of "public market."

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1990; February 23, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators von Reichbauer, Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Fleming, McMullen, Moore, Rasmussen, Sellar, Smitherman.

Senate Staff:Walt Corneille (786-7416)

                  February 23, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Every city and town is authorized to condemn land and property after paying the property owner just compensation.  Although cities and towns are specifically authorized to condemn public markets, public markets are not defined in statute.

First class cities are authorized to establish and regulate markets.  Any city or town may also construct, acquire, and operate public markets. There is no specific definition of what constitutes a public market.

It is suggested that the authority of cities to regulate public markets would be strengthened if public markets were defined in statute.

SUMMARY:

A public market is defined to include all real and personal property located in a district or area designated by a city as a public market that is traditionally devoted to providing farmers, crafts vendors, and other merchants with retail space to market their wares to the public.  The property located in the district may also be used for other public purposes, including the provision of human services and low or moderate-income housing.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Donald H. Stout, City of Seattle (pro)