Title: An act relating to making interlocal cooperative agreements available in electronic format.

Brief Description: Posting interlocal agreements in an electronic format in lieu of filing with the county auditor.

Sponsors: By Representatives Linville, Jarrett, Simpson, Ericksen, Ahern, Dunn and Upthegrove.

Brief History:

Local Government: 1/23/06, 1/30/06 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/8/06, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Clibborn, Vice Chair; Schindler, Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; B. Sullivan, Takko and Woods.

Staff: Kasa Tupua (786-7291).

Background:

The Interlocal Cooperation Act grants broad authority to public agencies to engage in joint or cooperative actions. Any two public agencies of this state may enter into agreements with one another to provide public services or perform any government activities as authorized by law. These agreements are referred to as interlocal cooperative agreements, and are often utilized by cities and counties with respect to fire protection, law enforcement, and public utility administration, among other services.

State law requires that interlocal cooperative agreements must be filed with the county auditor.

Summary of Bill:

As an alternative to filing an interlocal agreement with a county auditor, a public agency may list the agreement by subject on its website or other electronically retrievable public source.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Interlocal cooperative agreements are agreements between any two public agencies of this state to provide public services or activities. County auditors and members of the Washington Association of County Officials support interlocal cooperative agreements being made available on an agency's website.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Dick Little, City of Bellingham.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.