AN ACT Relating to providing code cities of a certain size with the ability to annex unincorporated areas without a referendum provision pursuant to a jointly approved interlocal agreement with the county; adding a new section to chapter 35A.14 RCW; and creating a new section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that city annexations of unincorporated areas within urban growth areas will be more efficient and effective if the county and city develop a jointly approved interlocal agreement so as not to create illogical boundaries or islands of unincorporated territory.

(2) The county legislative authority of each county with a population of one hundred fifty thousand or more and the governing body of each code city with a population in excess of twenty thousand may jointly initiate an annexation process for unincorporated territory by adopting an interlocal agreement as provided in chapter 39.34 RCW between the county and code city within the county.

(3) The county and code city shall jointly agree on the boundaries of the annexation and its effective date. The interlocal agreement shall describe the boundaries of the territory to be annexed and set a date for a public hearing on such agreement for annexation. An interlocal agreement may include phased annexation of territory, and may be amended following the same process as initial approval, including adding additional territory. A public hearing shall be held by each legislative body, separately or jointly, before the agreement is executed. Each legislative body holding a public hearing shall, separately or jointly, publish the agreement at least once a week for two weeks before the date of the hearing in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the code city and one or more newspapers of general circulation within the territory proposed for annexation.

(4) On the date set for hearing, residents or property owners of the area included in the resolution for annexation shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard. Following the hearing, if the legislative body determines to effect the annexation, they shall do so by ordinance. If the annexation agreement includes phased annexation of territory, the legislative body shall adopt a separate ordinance at the time of annexation of each phase. Upon the date fixed in the ordinance of annexation the area annexed shall become part of the city. If the annexation ordinance provides for assumption of indebtedness or adoption of a proposed zoning regulation, the notice shall include a statement of such requirements. Upon passage of the annexation ordinance a certified copy shall be filed with the board of county commissioners of the county in which the annexed property is located.