Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Ecology Committee

HB 2076

Brief Description:  Eliminating authority for charges based on water runoff characteristics of property.

Sponsors:  Representatives Roach, Grant, G. Chandler and Ericksen.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Prohibits a county from fixing or altering rates and charges for storm water facilities or services based on the water runoff characteristics of the property served except with regard to a landfill.

Hearing Date:  1/31/02

Staff:  Caroleen Dineen (786‑7156).

Background:

Storm water sewerage facilities may be operated by counties, cities, towns, metropolitan municipal corporations, public utility districts, and water‑sewer districts.  Generally, these entities' authority to operate these systems includes the power to construct, acquire, maintain and operate sites and facilities for storm water drainage and to establish rates and charges for the service and facilities.

Counties may provide by resolution for rates and charges for benefits received from a storm water control facility or based on contributions to an increase in surface water runoff.  Rates and charges must be uniform for the same class of customers or service and facility.  In fixing rates and charges, the county may consider:

$services furnished or to be furnished;

$benefits received or to be received;

$character and use of the land or its water runoff characteristics;

$nonprofit public benefit status of the land user;

$income level of persons served or provided benefits, including senior citizens and the disabled; or

$other matters which present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction.

Summary of Bill:

A county may not fix or alter rates and charges for storm water facilities or services based on the water runoff characteristics of the property served except with regard to a landfill as defined in solid waste management statutes.  Provisions authorizing counties to fix rates and charges for contributions to increase in surface water runoff and to consider land's water runoff characteristics when fixing rates and charges are eliminated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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