Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2721

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.

Background:

Flood control zone districts (zones) may be established in a county for the purpose of undertaking, operating, or maintaining flood or storm water control projects that are of special benefit to areas of the county. County commissioners, by virtue of their office, are supervisors of zones created in their county. In any zone with more than 2,000 residents, an election of supervisors, other than the board of county commissioners (board), may be held.

The process for establishing a zone may be initiated through a board resolution or through a petition signed by a qualifying number of voters in the proposed zone. Regardless of initiation process, if required public notice and hearing requirements are satisfied, the board must make a final determination on whether to establish a zone.

Upon establishment of a zone, the board may divide any or all the zone into separately designated subzones which, upon formation, operate as separate zones. The subzones may only be established through a resolution of the applicable board, and the board, in establishing subzones, is not required to satisfy procedural requirements pertaining to the establishment of zones.

Summary of Bill:

Provisions governing the establishment of countywide flood control zone districts (zones) and associated subzones are modified. A reference to a previously deleted statute that remained in provisions governing the establishment of zones is deleted, and provisions governing the establishment of subzones are modified to specify that the board of county commissioners, in establishing subzones, is not required to satisfy procedural requirements pertaining to the establishment of zones.