Title: An act relating to annexation of territory of certain cities by water-sewer districts.

Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to annexation of territory of certain cities by water-sewer districts.

Sponsors: Senator Fairley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/31/05, 2/1/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Fairley, Haugen, Kline, McCaslin, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: A water-sewer district can annex territory located within the same county as the district in two ways, through an election or through a petition process. The election method of annexation is initiated through a petition filed with the district commissioners. The petition must be signed by ten percent of the registered voters who voted in the last municipal general election and who live in the territory to be annexed. The petition must be approved by the district commissioners, the legislative authority of the county, and ultimately the voters residing in the territory proposed to be annexed.

The petition method of annexation is also initiated by filing a petition with the district commissioners. The petition must be signed by the owners of not less than sixty percent of the land to be annexed. The annexation is completed upon adoption of a resolution by the district commissioners.

An alternative process of annexation exists if there are no registered voters residing in the territory proposed to be annexed.

Summary of Bill: The district board of commissioners can initiate an election method of annexation through adoption of a resolution calling for the annexation question to be submitted to the voters when the district acquires water and/or sewer facilities from a city and the district and the city enter into an agreement stating the district will seek to annex city territory.

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: The bill helps streamline the annexation process in very limited situations. The bill just eliminates the petition requirement prior to an election when the district has acquired water facilities from the city, and there is an agreement between the city and the district regarding the annexation.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Fairley, prime sponsor; Joe Daniels, Washington Association of Water Sewer Districts.