HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1346

                      As Passed House:

                        March 5, 1999

Title:  An act relating to dissolution of a cultural arts, stadium and convention district.

Brief Description:  Providing an alternative method for dissolving a cultural arts, stadium or convention district.

Sponsors:  Representatives O'Brien, Koster, Cody, DeBolt, Constantine, Kessler, D. Schmidt, Edwards and Radcliff.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Local Government:  2/4/99, 2/22/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/5/99, 95-0.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes an alternative method for dissolution of a cultural arts, stadium, and convention district.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Mulliken, Republican Co-Chair; Scott, Democratic Co-Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; Mielke, Republican Vice Chair; Edwards; Ericksen; Fisher and Fortunato.

Staff:  Scott MacColl (786-7106).

Background:

A cultural arts, stadium, and convention district is created by a majority vote of the voters included within the district in a special election.  A cultural arts, stadium, and convention district may finance capital facilities through a special election in which the voters must approve a ballot proposition providing for both the bond issuance and imposition of levies to pay off the bonds.

A cultural arts, stadium, and convention district may be dissolved by a majority vote of the persons in the district.  An election may be called by:  (1) resolution of the district governing authority; (2) resolution of the county governing body; or (3) petition of the district voters.

Summary of Bill:

A second method to dissolve a cultural arts, stadium, and convention district is authorized.  A cultural arts, stadium and convention district may be dissolved without an election by a majority vote of the district governing body if the bond and levy financing ballot proposition is not approved by the voters.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The city of Lynnwood wanted to build a convention center, but the proposal for the bond financing failed miserably at the polls in 1983, 1987, and 1998.  Currently, the district cannot be dissolved without a vote of the district, which costs approximately $60,000.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor; and Gary Nelson, Snohomish County Council.