Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 2665
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. |
Brief Description: Streamlining the process for the vacation of roads by counties.
Sponsors: Representative Parker.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/27/12
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
When a county road or road segment is considered useless, the county legislative authority may, by resolution, declare its intention to vacate and abandon the road. In addition to the county-initiated vacation action, the owners of the majority of the frontage on any county road may petition the county legislative authority to vacate and abandon all or part of a road.
Upon initiation of road vacation proceedings, the county legislative authority must direct the county road engineer to issue a report analyzing the proposed vacation and abandonment. The county engineer’s report must include his or her opinion on:
whether the road should be vacated and abandoned;
the condition of the road and whether it is or has been in use;
whether it would be advisable to preserve the road for the county’s future road system; and
whether the public will benefit from the road vacation or abandonment.
After satisfying public notice requirements, the county legislative authority must conduct a public hearing on the proposed road vacation and abandonment, during which it must consider the county road engineer's report and any evidence for or objection against the vacation and abandonment. Alternately, rather than conducting the public hearing, the county legislative authority may instead appoint a hearing examiner to conduct a public hearing, consider the engineer's report, and take testimony and evidence relating to the proposed vacation. If, following the conclusion of the public hearing, the county legislative authority determines that the road is not useful and that the public will benefit from the vacation, it may authorize the vacation and abandonment.
Summary of Bill:
Requirements obligating county legislative authorities and hearing examiners to consider reports of county road engineers during road vacation and abandonment proceedings are deleted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.