The legislature finds that a significant potential exists for the development of the hydroelectric generation capabilities of present and future irrigation systems serving irrigation districts. The legislature also finds that the development of such hydroelectric generation capabilities is beneficial to the present and future electrical needs of the citizens of the state of Washington, furthers a state purpose and policy, and is in the public interest. The legislature further finds that it is necessary to revise and add to the authority of irrigation districts to obtain the most favorable interest rates possible in the financing of irrigation district projects which serve the agricultural community and hydroelectric facilities. It is the intent of the legislature to provide irrigation districts with the authority to develop these hydroelectric generation capabilities in connection with irrigation facilities. Further, it is the intent of the legislature that the development of hydroelectric generation capabilities pursuant to *this 1979 act not become the sole purpose or function of irrigation districts in existence on May 14, 1979, nor become a major function of irrigation districts created after that date. Nothing herein shall authorize an irrigation district to sell electric power or energy to any municipal corporation not engaged in the distribution of electric power or energy.

*Reviser's note: For codification of "this 1979 act" [1979 ex.s. c 185], see Codification Tables.

Effective date—1979 ex.s. c 185: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately." [ 1979 ex.s. c 185 § 24.] Because of this emergency section the effective date of 1979 ex.s. c 185 was May 14, 1979.

Severability—1979 ex.s. c 185: "If any provision of this 1979 act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1979 ex.s. c 185 § 23.]