Reviser's note: Chapter 85.08 RCW is almost entirely composed of chapter 176, Laws of 1913, the basic drainage improvement district act, as it has been amended and added to by subsequent legislation. Chapter 130, Laws of 1917 and chapter 157, Laws of 1921 are primarily express amendments to such basic act, however, also contained in such acts were several sections not expressly amendatory of the basic act but which are in pari materia therewith; therefore, such other sections are also codified in this chapter. Further, RCW 85.08.820 contains an independent session law which is in pari materia and so closely connected with the subject matter of this chapter that it has been codified herein. Thus, throughout chapter 85.08 RCW the term "this act" has been translated to read "this chapter" unless because of peculiar circumstances other treatment is required in which case it is specially noted.

Repeal and saving (1913 c 176 § 39): "Sec. 39. Chapter LXVI of the Laws of 1901 is hereby repealed, saving and excepting, however, that the provisions of said act shall continue in force and effect and shall be applicable to and shall govern all proceedings, rights and powers, in the case of ditches already contracted for, or under construction under said act, and in the case of the maintenance of the same for the current year 1913; and the method of supervision, construction, payment for the work, apportionment of costs, and assessment and collection thereof, delinquency and foreclosing thereof and penalties therefor, and all other proceedings in regard to the same, shall be as in said chapter LXVI of Laws of 1901 prescribed: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That with the consent of the holders of warrants heretofore issued or hereafter issued for work already begun or contracted for under said act, or with the consent of the contractor engaged in constructing any ditch or drainage system under said act, the provisions of this act in regard to the funding of such warrants with bonds, or the payment for work with bonds and the issuance and sale thereof, and all provisions in regard to such issuing of bonds, shall be applicable to such outstanding warrants or work already begun or contracts let for work. And in such event and to the extent of the costs so acquiesced in by warrant holders or contractors, all the provisions of this act in regard to the method of payment, form, issuing and sale, of bonds and warrants, extension of the assessment over a term of years, collecting, delinquency, interest and foreclosure of the assessments, and all other proceedings in regard thereto shall be as in this act provided. In such event the county commissioners shall prescribe the method and time of payment of the assessments and whether bonds shall be issued and perform any other proper act in regard to the same, at a special meeting called for that purpose, or at the hearing on the apportionment of costs provided for in section 30 hereof.

PROVIDED, ALSO, That in case any of the provisions of this act shall be applied to any proceedings in regard to any ditch begun under said chapter LXVI of the Laws of 1901 and the same shall be held not to be legally applicable thereto by a court of competent jurisdiction, then appropriate and proper proceedings for the performance of said acts or duties shall be had and done in regard thereto, as in said chapter LXVI of the Laws of 1901 provided. And from the time any such drainage district organized and existing under the provisions of said chapter LXVI of the Laws of 1901, shall be brought under the provisions of this act, said district shall be known and designated in all proceedings and records relating thereto, as Drainage Improvement District No. . . . . of . . . . . . County, retaining its original serial number.

Nothing in this act contained shall be construed as in anywise modifying or repealing any of the provisions of chapter CXV of the Laws of 1895, or the acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto, or affecting any proceeding heretofore or that may hereafter be had under the provisions of said act."

Applicability of prior laws (1913 c 176 § 40): "Sec. 40. Except as specified in the foregoing section, all of the provisions of this act, instead of said chapter LXVI of the Laws of 1901, shall be applicable to and shall govern and be the law in all respects, in regard to all ditches and drainage systems now existing, initiated or applied for under said chapter LXVI of the Laws of 1901, and all powers hereby vested in or granted to all boards and officers under this act shall be vested in such boards and officers that shall hereafter have charge of the work, or administering of the affairs of such ditches and drainage systems, and the districts in which they lie."

Severability (1913 c 176 § 41): "Sec. 41. An adjudication that any section, paragraph, or portion of this act, or any provision thereof, or proceeding provided for therein, is unconstitutional or invalid shall not affect or determine the constitutionality, or validity, of this act as a whole or of any other portion or provisions thereof, and all provisions of this act not adjudicated to be unconstitutional shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall be operative until specifically adjudicated to be unconstitutional or invalid."

Dissolution of inactive special purpose districts: Chapter 36.96 RCW.

Local governmental organizations, actions affecting boundaries, etc., review by boundary review boards: Chapter 36.93 RCW.

Special district creation and operation: Chapter 85.38 RCW.