S-4478

AN ACT Relating to funding the municipal research council; amending RCW 66.08.190 and 43.110.030; adding a new section to chapter 43.110 RCW; repealing RCW 43.88.114; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.110 RCW to read as follows:

The city and town research services account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account shall consist of amounts transferred under RCW 66.08.190(2) and any other transfers or appropriations to the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after an appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for city and town research.

Unobligated moneys remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal biennium shall be distributed by the treasurer to the incorporated cities and towns of the state under RCW 66.08.190(1)(b). The treasurer may disburse amounts appropriated to the municipal research council from the city and town research services account by warrant or check to the contracting parties on invoices or vouchers certified by the chair of the municipal research council or his or her designee. Payments to public agencies may be made in advance of actual work contracted for, at the discretion of the council.

Sec. 2. RCW 66.08.190 and 1995 c 159 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) When excess funds are distributed, all moneys subject to distribution shall be disbursed as follows:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) Three-tenths of one percent to border areas under RCW 66.08.195; and

((~~(2)~~)) (b) From the amount remaining after distribution under (a) of this subsection ((~~(1) of this section~~)), fifty percent to the general fund of the state, ten percent to the counties of the state, and forty percent to the incorporated cities and towns of the state.

(2) During the months of July, October, January, and April of each year, prior to disbursing the distribution to incorporated cities and towns under subsection (1)(b) of this section, the treasurer shall deduct from that distribution an amount that, when combined with any cash balance in the city and town research services account, will fund that quarter's allotments under RCW 43.88.110 from any legislative appropriation from the city and town research services account. The treasurer shall deposit the amount deducted into the city and town research services account.

(3) The governor may notify and direct the state treasurer to withhold the revenues to which the counties and cities are entitled under this section if the counties or cities are found to be in noncompliance pursuant to RCW 36.70A.340.

Sec. 3. RCW 43.110.030 and 1997 c 437 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The municipal research council shall contract for the provision of municipal research and services to cities, towns, and counties. Contracts for municipal research and services shall be made with state agencies, educational institutions, or private consulting firms, that in the judgment of council members are qualified to provide such research and services. Contracts for staff support may be made with state agencies, educational institutions, or private consulting firms that in the judgment of the council members are qualified to provide such support.

Municipal research and services shall consist of: (1) Studying and researching city, town, and county government and issues relating to city, town, and county government; (2) acquiring, preparing, and distributing publications related to city, town, and county government and issues relating to city, town, and county government; (3) providing educational conferences relating to city, town, and county government and issues relating to city, town, and county government; and (4) furnishing legal, technical, consultative, and field services to cities, towns, and counties concerning planning, public health, utility services, fire protection, law enforcement, public works, and other issues relating to city, town, and county government. Requests for legal services by county officials shall be sent to the office of the county prosecuting attorney. Responses by the municipal research council to county requests for legal services shall be provided to the requesting official and the county prosecuting attorney.

The activities, programs, and services of the municipal research council shall be carried on((~~, and all expenditures shall be made,~~)) in cooperation with ((~~the cities and towns of the state acting through the board of directors of~~)) the association of Washington cities((~~, which is recognized as their official agency or instrumentality,~~)) and ((~~in cooperation with counties of the state acting through~~)) the Washington state association of counties. Services to cities and towns shall be based upon the moneys appropriated to the municipal research council ((~~under RCW 82.44.160~~)) from the city and town research services account under section 1 of this act. Services to counties shall be based upon the moneys appropriated to the municipal research council from the county research services account under RCW 43.110.050.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. RCW 43.88.114 (Appropriations to municipal research council from motor vehicle excise taxes not subject to allotment) and 1997 c 437 s 5 & 1983 c 22 s 2 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. 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, 2000.