ANALYSIS OF ESB 5044

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                                          April 2, 1999

Changing the membership of air pollution control authority boards of directors.

BACKGROUND: 

The governing body of a local air authority is composed of members that are selected by locally elected officials.  A "city selection committee," that includes the mayor of each incorporated city or town within the county, is used to appoint city representatives.

For a single-county authority two members are appointed by a city selection committee, one of which must represent the city with the largest population within the county.  Two additional members are appointed by the board of county commissioners.  A fifth member is selected by the other appointees.  Multiple-county air pollution control authorities have a slightly different process for appointing their members.

SUMMARY:

City councils and boards of county commissioners are referenced as "legislative authorities" of the city or county.

The process for selecting members for a single-county air pollution control authority in a county

east of the Cascades with a population greater than 350,000 is modified.  One member is selected by the city selection committee, one by the legislative authority for the city with the largest population, and the remaining two members are appointed by the county legislative authority.  This change assures that a city with the largest population appoints its own representative.

The terms "city council" and "board of county commissioners" are more accurately referred to as "legislative authorities" of the city or county, rather than governing bodies.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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