SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6204
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 Reported by Senate Committee On:
Local Government, January 18, 2018
Title: An act relating to mosquito control districts.
Brief Description: Concerning mosquito control districts.
Sponsors: Senators Cleveland, Rivers, Takko, Wilson, King, Bailey, Short, Warnick, Honeyford and Braun.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Local Government: 1/18/18, 1/18/18 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Palumbo, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Angel and Liias.
Staff: Greg Vogel (786-7413)
Background: Mosquito Control Districts. Mosquito control districts are special purpose districts created to protect public health, safety, and welfare by abating or exterminating mosquitoes within the district. Districts are funded through assessments on all property in the district. The amount of the assessment is determined by the value of a property and the proportionate benefit it receives from the district's services. The county road improvement districts statutes govern the process for handling liens, the collection and payment of current and delinquent assessments, interest, and penalties, and property foreclosures on behalf of mosquito control districts.
County Road Improvement Districts. Counties are authorized to create county road improvement districts to facilitate the construction of new roads or the improvement of existing roads and other related facilities. Counties that create road improvement districts have the power to levy and collect special assessments against the real property specially benefited by the district for the purpose of paying the whole or any part of the cost of acquisition of rights-of-way, construction, or improvement.
Summary of Bill: Liens, collections, payment of assessments, delinquent assessments, interest and penalties, lien foreclosure, and foreclosed property as applied to mosquito control districts, are now governed by the statutes on property tax collection, rather than the county road improvement districts statutes.
County treasurers may impose an annual fee for collecting special assessments on behalf of mosquito control districts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
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: There is a provision, stemming from a 1959 statute, that states if an assessment is two years delinquent, the county assessor must foreclose on the property. In Clark County, that amounts to a foreclosure action for $6. Not only is this instituting foreclosure for a very low value assessment, but it requires that the foreclosure action take place one year earlier than for property tax foreclosure. Aligning these statutes prevents seeking foreclosure on properties for these very low assessment amounts.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Doug Lasher, Clark County Treasurer.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.