HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2628

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Local Government

Title:  An act relating to condemnation of blighted property.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to condemnation of blighted property.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Fisher, Campbell, Edmondson, Sommers, Appelwick and Dorn.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, February 4, 1994, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives H. Myers, Chair; Springer, Vice Chair; Edmondson, Ranking Minority Member; Reams, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dunshee; R. Fisher; Horn; Moak; Rayburn and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Van Luven.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  Counties, cities, and towns are authorized to condemn property, dwellings, buildings, and structures constituting a blight on the surrounding neighborhood.  A "blight on the surrounding neighborhood" is defined as property that:  (1) has not been lawfully occupied for one year or more; (2) constitutes a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, as determined by the county health department; and (3) is or has been associated with illegal drug activity during the previous 12 months.

In addition, the county, city, or town governing body must adopt a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the property is necessary to eliminate neighborhood blight before the property may be condemned.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The requirements are altered for a county, city, or town to condemn property that constitutes a blight on the surrounding neighborhood.  Such property may be condemned if either: (1) the property has not been lawfully occupied for one or more year and the executive authority of the county, city, or town determines the property constitutes a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare; or (2) the property is associated with illegal drug activity during the previous 12 months.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The executive authority, instead of the director of public works, determines whether the property constitutes a threat to public health, safety, or welfare.  The conditions when property may be condemned are reduced.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The Hilltop area of Tacoma has many rundown buildings where bad things happen.  We need to condemn this property and improve it.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Gary Pederson, city of Tacoma; and Alberta Canada, Hilltop Action Coalition.