FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2348

                          C 45 L 00

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing treasurer services for conservation districts.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on  (originally sponsored by Representatives G. Chandler and Linville; by request of Conservation Commission).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development

Background:

The county treasurer invests the funds of any municipal corporation in the county upon the authorization of the municipal corporation's governing body.  Some units of local government are expressly authorized to make the county treasurer the ex officio treasurer of the local government and may also designate a different person to act as the treasurer for the local government. 

Conservation districts are authorized to employ a secretary and other technical experts, but are not expressly authorized to hire someone to act as the treasurer for the district.

Summary of Bill:

The county treasurer acts as the ex officio treasurer of the conservation district located in the county.  The board of supervisors of a conservation district may designate a person other than the county treasurer to act as the treasurer of the district.  The person designated as the treasurer of the conservation district must have experience in financial or fiscal matters.

If the board of supervisors designates a person to act as treasurer of the conservation district, the board must require a bond from a surety company to protect the district from loss.  The district must pay the premium on the surety bond.  The district may require a reasonable bond of any other person handling moneys or securities of the district, but the district must pay the premium.

If the county treasurer acts as the treasurer for the conservation district, the district funds must be deposited with the county depositaries under the same provisions that apply for county depositaries.  If someone other than the county treasurer acts as the treasurer for the conservation district, all district funds must be deposited in a bank or banks authorized to do business in the state, as designated by the board of supervisors.

The treasurer must establish a conservation district fund into which all district funds are paid.  The board of supervisors may create special funds for the placement of money as it directs.   All conservation district funds must be paid to the treasurer and may be disbursed only upon warrants issued by an auditor appointed by the board of supervisors.

Votes on Final Passage:

House950

Senate450

Effective:June 8, 2000