FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5594

C 258 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Consolidating housing authorities.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, Winsley, Prentice and Honeyford.

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions

House Committee on Local Government & Housing

Background:  Housing authorities are local government agencies, authorized by the Legislature in 1939.  They are created by a declaration of need by the city or county they serve.  Current law allows the creation of a joint housing authority to serve a county and a city or cities within the county.  Housing authorities are the principal conduit for federally funded housing programs, such as Section 8 vouchers.  Housing authorities also own and operate some rental properties.

Summary:  Various configurations of joint or consolidated housing authorities are authorized.  One or more counties and any city or cities within one or more counties may, through joint legislative action, create a consolidated housing authority.  Provisions regarding appointment of housing authority commissioners and their removal do not apply to joint housing authorities.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate480

House960

Effective:  June 13, 2002