S-1331               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5959

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Talmadge and Moore

Read first time 2/20/89 and referred to Committee on  Economic Development & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to port districts; amending RCW 53.08.160; and adding a new chapter to Title 53 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     There is created a commission that shall be known as the Puget Sound port authority.  The port authority shall be vested with all powers and duties transferred to it under this chapter and such other duties as may be authorized by law.  All other powers and duties granted by law to the port districts of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Olympia shall be retained by those districts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     As used in this chapter, "port authority" means the Puget Sound port authority.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The port authority shall consist of five commissioners appointed by the governor.  The commissioners shall be residents and electors of the port districts of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, or Olympia.  At least one commissioner must be a resident of each port district.  Initially, two commissioners shall be appointed to terms expiring January 31, 1991, and three commissioners shall be appointed to terms expiring January 31, 1993.  Thereafter, the governor shall appoint commissioners for four-year terms.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The port authority shall exercise the advertising and marketing authority for its member port districts and shall be the initial forum for the adjudication of disputes between its member port districts.  Expenses of the port authority shall be apportioned among the member port districts based upon the number of residents within each port district.

        Sec. 5.  Section 2, chapter 24, Laws of 1947 as amended by section 1, chapter 55, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and RCW 53.08.160 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) All port districts ((organized under the provisions of this act shall be, and they)) are ((hereby,)) authorized ((and empowered)) to initiate and carry on the necessary studies, investigations and surveys required for:

(a) The proper development, improvement and utilization of all port properties, utilities and facilities((,)); and ((for))

(b) Industrial development within the district when such agricultural and industrial development is carried out by a public agency, institution, or body for a public purpose((, and)).

(2) Port districts are authorized to assemble and analyze the data thus obtained and to cooperate with the state of Washington, other port districts and other operators of terminal and transportation facilities for  these purposes((, and to make such expenditures as are necessary for said purposes, and for the proper promotion, advertising, improvement and development of such)).

(3) Port districts are authorized to properly promote, advertise, improve, and develop port properties, utilities and facilities((:  PROVIDED HOWEVER, That)).  Port districts that are members of the port authority created in sections 1 through 4 of this act shall have all promotion and advertising activities conducted by the authority.

(4) Port districts are authorized to make such expenditures as are necessary for the purposes described in this section.

(5) Nothing in this section shall authorize a port district to develop its properties as an agricultural or dairy farm.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 53 RCW.