SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2908



As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, February 22, 2006

Title: An act relating to Island county boundaries.

Brief Description: Modifying the boundary provision for Island county.

Sponsors: House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Bailey, Schindler and Strow).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/22/06 [DP].


SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Fairley, Haugen, Kline and Pridemore.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The Washington State Constitution recognizes the counties of the Territory of Washington existing at the time the Constitution was adopted. The county boundaries for Island County are all of the islands known as Whidbey, Camano, Smith's Deception, and Ure's and extends into the adjacent channels to connect with the boundaries of adjoining counties as defined by statute.

Summary of Bill: The statutory boundary provisions for Island County are revised to include Strawberry, Baby, Minor, and Kalamut Islands.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This bill is a technical bill that delineates islands as part of Island County that have been part of the County for 153 years, but not specified as such. These are uninhabited and in some instances, tidal islands.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Bailey, the sponsor.