HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5337

                  As Passed House‑Amended:

                       April 14, 1997

Title:  An act relating to formation of less than county‑wide port districts.

Brief Description:  Extending less than county‑wide port districts.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Stevens, Deccio and Swecker).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  3/28/97, 4/4/97 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House-Amended:  4/14/97, 92‑5.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Murray; Reams; Smith; Wensman and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Dunshee and L. Thomas.

Staff:  Bronwyn Mauldin (786-7093).

Background:  Port districts may take up an entire single county, or may be less than county-wide.  Port districts are authorized for the purposes of acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation, development, and regulation of harbor, rail, air, or motor vehicle transfer and terminal facilities, as well as for industrial and commercial development. 

Less than county-wide port districts were authorized by the Legislature in 1992.  Any such proposed port district must have an assessed value of at least $75 million.  Authorization for less than county-wide port districts is set to expire on July 1, 1997.

Summary of Bill:  The expiration date for the creation of less than county-wide port districts is removed.  Less than county-wide port districts may continue to be created after that date.  The amount of the assessed value required to propose a new less than county-wide port district is doubled to $150 million.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  This bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This bill gives the people of the city of Snohomish the time they need to do something they can already do under current law.  The final decision will be made by the voters.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Stevens, prime sponsor; and Pat Jones, Washington Public Ports Association.