SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5999

                    As of February 26, 1999

Title:  An act relating to public hospital districts.

Brief Description:  Requiring a vote to dispose of a hospital district or its property.

Sponsors:  Senator Hale.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  3/1/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  Hospital districts are municipal corporations that can be established by counties and can be countywide, less than countywide or include area in more than one county.  They are established by a vote of the voters of the district and are governed by an elected board of commissioners.  Some of the powers of the district are to own and sell property and to contract with other hospitals, districts, corporations or individuals to provide hospital services or facilities.  These powers are exercised by the board of commissioners.

Summary of Bill:  The voters of the hospital district must approve of the district=s sale, or other disposition, of a district hospital or all or substantially all of the district=s property.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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