Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Local Government & Housing Committee

HB 2571

Brief Description:  Authorizing port districts to pay claims or other obligations by check or warrant.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dunshee, Crouse, Dunn, Schmidt and Kirby.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes port districts to pay claims or other obligations by warrant or check.

Hearing Date:  2/4/02

Staff:  Amy Wood (786‑7127).

Background:

The treasurer of the county in which a port district is located is considered the district port treasurer, unless the commission of a port district is authorized to designate its own treasurer.  The commission of a port district is authorized to designate its own treasurer if the port has received annual gross operating revenues of $100,000 or more for the last three years, or if the port was previously authorized by the county treasurer.

The county treasurer is required to be the treasurer of a port which has not met the above requirement.

A port commission is authorized, at its option, to issue warrants prior to the receipt of taxes raised by levy, in anticipation of revenues, to pay claims or other obligations.  Such warrants are required to be redeemed from the first revenues available once the taxes are collected.

Summary of Bill:

A port district that acts as its own treasurer may, by resolution, adopt a policy for the payment of claims or other obligations by warrant or by check.  A check may only be issued when the applicable fund is solvent, otherwise, a warrant must be written.  The port commission shall designate the bank where checks are to be drawn, and the officers authorized to sign the checks.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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