SHB 1258

HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1258

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to the disbursement of funds by air pollution control agencies.

Brief Description: Changing the disbursement of funds by air pollution control agencies.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Alexander, Hunt, Curtis and Simpson).

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Eddy, Vice Chair; Curtis, Ranking Minority Member; Ross, B. Sullivan and Takko.

Background:

Local air pollution control authorities (authorities) are established by the Washington Clean Air Act. Each authority is a municipal corporation that is responsible for carrying out specified duties and exercising powers as provided by law. Each of Washington's 39 counties has an authority created within it; however, some county authorities are inactive. Counties with inactive authorities are served by the Washington Department of Ecology's Air Quality Program. Seven multi-county authorities have been formed by county boards of commissioners by combining county authorities with the authorities of adjacent counties.

Each authority is governed by a board of directors (board). The board of an activated authority has specific administrative and other powers prescribed in statute.

The treasurer of each component city, town, or county within an authority must create a separate fund for monies collected from taxes or other sources that are levied by or obtained for activated authorities. These monies must be forwarded quarterly by the treasurer of each applicable local government to a county treasurer designated by the board as its treasurer. This authority treasurer must establish and maintain the resulting funds as authorized by the board.

Monies expended from these funds must be disbursed through warrants drawn by a county auditor designated by the board as its auditor. The respective county must be reimbursed by the board for services rendered by the authority treasurer and auditor in connection with the receipt and disbursement of funds.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Monies collected for an air pollution control authority in accordance with specified provisions may be disbursed upon warrants drawn either by an authority or a county auditor designated by the authority's board of directors.

Air pollution control authority boards are not required to reimburse counties for services rendered by county treasurers in connection with the receipt of authority monies.

Additionally, a number of technical changes are made.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support of original bill) The bill represents legislation that the Committee heard in previous sessions and would benefit from an amendment. The bill is good legislation that makes good sense. This bill will enable pollution control authorities to produce their own warrants. Authorities have the resources to perform this check-writing function, and permitting them to do so will allow them to use resources more efficiently and to be more responsive to customers.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Alexander, prime sponsor; and Richard Steadman, Olympic Region Clean Air Agency.