SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2817

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 27, 1998

Title:  An act relating to sales of real property by water‑sewer districts.

Brief Description:  Regarding district sales of real property.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by Representatives Doumit and Hatfield).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/23/98, 2/27/98 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Anderson, Haugen, Horn, Patterson and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The board of commissioners of a water-sewer district may sell property owned by the district if it determines that the property is not and will not be needed by the district.

Notice of a sale of such property must be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, except where personal property with a value of less than $2,500 is being sold.  The notice must describe the terms of the sale and conditions of the bids and must indicate that the district reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The board of commissioners must qualify bidders.  The highest qualified bid must be accepted unless the board determines the property is needed.  Financial information required to be provided for qualification is exempt from public disclosure requirements.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The provisions for rejection of the highest bid are broadened.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The highest bid should only be rejected for good cause.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. Brian Hatfield (pro); Joe Daniels, Washington Association of Sewer/Water Districts (pro); James O=Hoyne (pro).