BILL ANALYSIS

SSB 5352

TITLE OF THE BILL:  Removing the term limit for members of boundary review boards.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES:  Removes the service limitation of a maximum eight consecutive years for boundary review board members.

SPONSORS:  Senate State and Local Government Committee (originally sponsored by Senator McCaslin).

HEARING DATE:  Monday, March 29, 1999

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

ANALYSIS PREPARED BY:  Caroleen Dineen  (786-7156)

BACKGROUND:

A boundary review board is required to be created in every county with a population of 210,000 or more and may be created in any other county.  If its jurisdiction is invoked, a boundary review board may review proposed boundary changes for cities, towns, and various special districts.  The boundary review board may approve, reject, or modify and approve a proposed boundary change that it reviews.   A boundary review board=s authority to reject or modify and approve proposed city incorporations is limited.

The boundary review board in a county with a population greater than one million consists of 11 members:  three appointed by the Governor; three appointed by the county; three appointed by the mayors of the cities and towns within the county; and two appointed by the board from nominees of special districts in the county.  The boundary review board in all other counties consists of five members:  two appointed by the Governor; one appointed by the county; one appointed by the mayors of the cities and towns within the county; and one appointed by the board from nominees of special districts in the county.

After an initial staggering of members' terms, appointed boundary review board members serve 4-year terms.  No boundary review board member may serve more than eight consecutive years.

SUMMARY:

The maximum service limitation of eight consecutive years for boundary review board members is removed.