HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6123

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Local Government

Title:  An act relating to sponsorship of public events by parking and business improvement areas.

Brief Description:  Authorizing parking and business improvement areas to sponsor public events.

Sponsors:  Senators B. Sheldon, Wojahn, Swecker, Franklin and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Local Government:  2/16/00, 2/23/00 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

CAuthorizes parking and business improvement areas to sponsor (in addition to the authority to promote) public events in public places.

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:

The legislative authorities of counties, cities and towns are  authorized to establish by ordinance business and parking improvement areas.  These areas are established through a petition of the business operators of 60 percent of the assessments by businesses and multi-family residential or mixed-use projects within the area.  The business and parking improvement area then has the authority to levy special assessments on all businesses and multi-family or mixed use projects that are benefitted within the area.

These business and parking improvement areas are authorized to build and maintain parking areas, decorate any public place, promote public events, furnish music, provide professional management, and maintenance and security.

Summary of Bill:

The sponsorship of public events is added to the list of authorized purposes that business and parking improvement areas may use to aid general economic development and neighborhood revitalization.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Poulsbo, Kitsap County is seeking this legislation because they would like to sponsor public events for tourism in their business improvement district.  In current law, activities allowed for the use of these business improvement districts are six in nature, and this simply adds another allowable use.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Betti Sheldon, Prime Sponsor