FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1310

                         C 154 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing the authority of public utility districts.

Sponsors:  Representatives Scott, Mulliken, Morris, Schoesler, Ericksen and Linville.

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

Background:

Public utility districts (PUDs) are authorized to supply water to people within the county where the district is located, within or outside its district limits, and to sell, regulate, and control the use, distribution, and price of such services.  The provision of water service outside the boundary of the public utility district is subject to review by the boundary review board.

PUDs may establish local assessment districts (known as local utility districts) to distribute water for domestic use, irrigation, and electric energy and for maintenance, extensions and improvements.  PUDs may levy and collect special assessments and issue local improvement bonds to pay for building, operating, and maintaining water systems within the local improvement district.

A district may operate a sewage system through the creation of a local utility district, if the voters of the district approve by majority vote a referendum proposition authorizing a district to do so.

Summary:

Public utility districts are authorized to provide water for public and private purposes outside the limits of the district or county.

Public utility districts are also authorized to establish local utility districts to provide water for all public and private purposes partly or entirely outside the district or the county where the district is located.  The local utility districts may provide sewer facilities subject to the statutory election authorization process.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  92 3

Senate 44 0

Effective:  July 25, 1999