SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2261

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 Senate, March 2, 2018

Title: An act relating to housing authorities.

Brief Description: Concerning housing authorities.

Sponsors: Representatives MacEwen, Santos, Young and Griffey.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/01/18, 91-3.

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/21/18 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 3/02/18, 47-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows a state public body to provide monetary, in-kind, or other support to the board of commissioners of a housing authority to carry out the board's duties or powers, but not for the purpose of compensating the commissioners for their service.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Darneille, Chair; Dhingra, Vice Chair; O'Ban, Ranking Member; Carlyle, Frockt and Miloscia.

Staff: Brandon Popovac (786-7465)

Background: When a city or county adopts a resolution declaring a need for a housing authority, a board of commissioners is appointed. The powers of a housing authority are vested in the board of commissioners. Commissioners are not paid for their services except for any necessary expenses, including travel incurred while performing their duties.

Any state public body may, within the area in which it is authorized to act, aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of housing projects. Specifically, a state public body may:

sell, convey, or lease any of its interest in property or grant easements and licenses to a housing authority;
cause certain services to be furnished to a housing authority; and
purchase bonds of a housing authority.

A state public body is defined as the state and any city, town, county, municipal corporation, commission, district, authority, or other subdivision or public body within the state.

Summary of Bill: A state public body may provide monetary, in-kind, or other support specifically to a board of commissioners of a housing authority to aid the board in carrying out its duties or powers. However, a state public body may not provide such support in the form of compensation to board commissioners for their services.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill represents a response to a couple of county prosecutors who provided a legal opinion that it might be interpreted as a gift of public funds for county facilities and resources to assist housing authorities, in violation of current state law. The bill's intent is to clarify this ambiguity in the law.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Drew MacEwen, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.