SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2526

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Environment, Energy & Water, February 26, 2002

Title:  An act relating to exemptions from the state environmental policy act for reductions of city limits and disincorporations.

Brief Description:  Providing exemptions from SEPA for reductions of city limits and disincorporations.

Sponsors:  Representatives Berkey, Mulliken, Dunshee, Mielke, Kirby, Crouse and Linville.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Environment, Energy & Water:  2/22/02, 2/26/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & WATER

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Fraser, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Eide, Hale, Honeyford, Jacobsen, Keiser, McDonald and Morton.

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786‑7461)

Background:  The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requires a governmental entity, whether state or local, to analyze the environmental impacts of its major actions.  The Department of Ecology has adopted rules to implement SEPA.  The lead agency must make a threshold determination of whether the proposal has probable significant adverse environmental impacts.  If the lead agency determines that it does, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared.  An agency's decision under SEPA is subject to review administratively, if allowed by the agency, and judicially.

The same basic rules apply to proposed reductions of city limits and proposed disincorporations.

Summary of Bill:  Reductions of city limits and disincorporations are exempt from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill was recommended by the Municipal Research Center several years ago.  Four small cities are looking at disincorporation as a result of the loss of MVET funds.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Berkey, prime sponsor; Ron Rosenbloom, AWC.