SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5594
As Passed Senate, January 30, 2002
Title: An act relating to the consolidation of housing authorities.
Brief Description: Consolidating housing authorities.
Sponsors: Senators Gardner, Winsley, Prentice and Honeyford.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions: 2/5/01 [DP].
Passed Senate: 3/8/01, 48-0; 1/30/02, 48-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Deccio, Fairley, Franklin, Honeyford, Rasmussen, Regala and Winsley.
Staff: David Cheal (786‑7576)
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 of Bill: 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.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Administrative costs will be saved by forming joint housing authorities involving two or more smaller cities or cities and counties. Cities or counties with less experience in housing programs will be able to access the expertise of larger, experienced housing authorities.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Dianne Quast, Spokane Housing Authority (pro); Chriss Peggy, Longview Housing Authority (pro).