HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 3032

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Local Government

Title:  An act relating to annexations by less than county‑wide port districts in areas having no registered voters.

Brief Description:  Extending annexation authority to certain port districts along the Interstate 90 corridor.

Sponsors:  Representative Mulliken.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Local Government:  2/2/00 [DPS].

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Allows port districts in the Interstate 90 corridor, less than county-wide, and located in counties fewer than 90,000 population, to annex areas contiguous to

the district for industrial development if the area is void of registered voters.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Mulliken, Republican Co-Chair; Scott, Democratic Co-Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; Mielke, Republican Vice Chair; Edwards; Ericksen and Fortunato.

Staff:  Scott MacColl (786-7106).

Background:

A port district that is less than county-wide, located in a county with a population fewer than 90,000, and located in the Interstate 5 corridor may petition for annexation of an area that is contiguous to its boundaries if that area is not contained within another port district boundaries and if the area contains no registered voters.

The petition must be in writing, filed with the port commission, and signed by owners of at least 75 percent of the property value in the area to be annexed.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The authority for port districts to annex an area that is contiguous but not adjacent, and that contains no registered voters is extended to a port district that is less than county-wide, located in a county with fewer than 90,000, and located in the Interstate 90 corridor.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

There is a corresponding section that is necessary to amend to make the authority valid.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The Port of Moses Lake has a chunk of property that is needed in order to help possibly facilitate a deal with Venture Star.  However, the area is not within the port district, yet is contiguous and contains no registered voters.  Most of the land in the area is state or federally owned.  The port and the state are jointly developing the Space Port Authority, and this piece of property is integral to the project with Venture Star.  This is a bill that was passed last year for the Port of Chehalis, and now it is needed for Grant County's port district.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:   Scott Taylor, Washington Public Ports Association; Terry Brewer, Executive Director, Grant County Economic Development Authority; and David Bailey, Port of Moses Lake.