H-2175

AN ACT Relating to funding for regional convention, conference, or special events centers; adding a new chapter to Title 35 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislative authority of any town or city located in a county with a population of less than one million may create a public facilities district. The legislative authorities of any contiguous group of towns or cities located in a county with a population of less than one million may enter an agreement under chapter 39.34 RCW for the creation and joint operation of a public facilities district.

(2) A public facilities district shall be coextensive with the boundaries of the city or town or contiguous group of cities or towns that created the district, except that the district shall be coextensive with the boundaries of the county or counties in which the district is located if a majority of the voters of the county or counties approve the creation of the district in a general election or a special election that may be called for that purpose.

(3) A public facilities district created by a single city or town shall be governed by a board of directors consisting of the members of the legislative body of the city that created the district. A district created by a contiguous group of cities or towns shall be governed by a board of directors appointed in accordance with the terms of the agreement under chapter 39.34 RCW for the joint operation of the district.

(4) A public facilities district is a municipal corporation, an independent taxing "authority" within the meaning of Article VII, section 1 of the state Constitution, and a "taxing district" within the meaning of Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution.

(5) A public facilities district shall constitute a body corporate and shall possess all the usual powers of a corporation for public purposes as well as all other powers that may now or hereafter be specifically conferred by statute, including, but not limited to, the authority to hire employees, staff, and services, to enter into contracts, and to sue and be sued.

(6) A public facilities district may acquire and transfer real and personal property by lease, sublease, purchase, or sale. No direct or collateral attack on any metropolitan facilities district purported to be authorized or created in conformance with this chapter may be commenced more than thirty days after creation by the city legislative authority.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A public facilities district is authorized to acquire, construct, own, remodel, maintain, equip, reequip, repair, and operate one or more regional centers. For purposes of this act, "regional center" means a convention, conference, or special events center, or any combination of facilities, and related parking facilities, serving a regional population constructed, improved, or rehabilitated after the effective date of this act at a cost of at least ten million dollars, including debt service. "Regional center" also includes an existing convention, conference, or special events center, and related parking facilities, serving a regional population, that is improved or rehabilitated after the effective date of this act where the costs of improvement or rehabilitation are at least ten million dollars, including debt service. A regional center is conclusively presumed to serve a regional population if state and local government investment in the construction, improvement, or rehabilitation of the regional center is equal to or greater than ten million dollars.

(2) A public facilities district may impose charges and fees for the use of its facilities, and may accept and expend or use gifts, grants, and donations for the purpose of a regional center.

(3) Notwithstanding the establishment of a career, civil, or merit service system, a public facilities district may contract with a public or private entity for the operation or management of its public facilities.

(4) A public facilities district is authorized to use the supplemental alternative public works contracting procedures set forth in chapter 39.10 RCW in connection with the design, construction, reconstruction, remodel, or alteration of any regional center.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The board of directors of the public facilities district shall adopt a resolution that may be amended from time to time that shall establish the basic requirements governing methods and amounts of reimbursement payable to such district officials and employees for travel and other business expenses incurred on behalf of the district. The resolution shall, among other things, establish procedures for approving such expenses; the form of the travel and expense voucher; and requirements governing the use of credit cards issued in the name of the district. The resolution may also establish procedures for payment of per diem to board members. The state auditor shall, as provided by general law, cooperate with the public facilities district in establishing adequate procedures for regulating and auditing the reimbursement of all such expenses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The board of directors of the public facilities district shall have authority to authorize the expenditure of funds for the public purposes of preparing and distributing information to the general public and promoting, advertising, improving, developing, operating, and maintaining a regional center. Nothing contained in this section may be construed to authorize preparation and distribution of information to the general public for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a district election.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The public facilities district may secure services by means of an agreement with a service provider. The public facilities district shall publish notice, establish criteria, receive and evaluate proposals, and negotiate with respondents under requirements set forth by district resolution.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. In addition to provisions contained in chapter 39.04 RCW, the public facilities district is authorized to follow procedures contained in RCW 43.19.1906 and 43.19.1911 for all purchases, contracts for purchase, and sales.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 35 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1999.