AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 7
February 16, 2007  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Governor Gregoire Addresses CLAC Attendees
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

General Local Government

Public Records and Attorney Invoices (HB 1897)

This short bill clarifies that under RCW 42.56, attorney invoices cannot be withheld in their entirety by a public entity under the Public Records Act. In addition, the bill lists specific allowable redactions, such as actual legal advice, mental impressions, and theories and opinions. AWC and city attorneys will be taking a look at this proposal prior to the hearing scheduled in the House State Government Committee at 8 am on Friday, February 23.

Utility Liens (SB 5854)

This is a new twist on an old bill. It would prohibit cities and counties from collecting delinquent utility debt from property owners if the owner notifies the city or county in writing that their property is a rental and provides a complete and accurate mailing address for the tenant.

Cities vigorously oppose losing the utility lien authority, where the property owner is ultimately held responsible for unpaid water, electricity or other utility bills. If property owners are not held responsible then all other utility customers would pay for utility service of rental units when the tenants failed to pay.

A hearing is scheduled in the Senate Consumer Protection & Housing Committee on Tuesday, February 20, at 8:30 am.

Failure to Enforce Building Codes (SB 5892)

This is a bill of grave concern to cities because the bill would allow claims against a city or county based on "negligent failure" to enforce provisions of the state building code. A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 20 in the Senate Government Operations Committee at 1:30 pm. Representatives from cities and the building officials’ association will be on hand to speak to the committee about the impacts of this troubling proposal.

Dividing Optional Municipal Code Cities into Wards (HB 2151)

Under current law, the council of a noncharter code city may divide the city into wards or change the boundaries of existing wards as long as this does not occur within three months of a municipal general election. This bill would permit qualified electors, as well as the council, the authority to divide the city into wards or change the boundaries of existing wards. This bill is scheduled for public hearing in the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday, February 20 at 1:30 pm.

Allowing Ranked Choice Voting by Cities and Local Taxing Districts (HB 2202/SB 6000)

Ranked choice voting is a system that can be used when three or more candidates are running for the same office. Voters indicate their first, second, and third choice and so on for as many candidates as are on the ballot. If no candidate receives a majority of first choice votes, then the winner of the election is determined by taking into consideration the second and third place votes, etc., according to the local government's adopted ranked choice system.

HB 2202/SB 6000 would allow cities, towns, and local taxing districts to use ranked choice voting in counties where ranked choice voting has been approved and implemented for county elections. Any local government that adopts ranked choice voting may eliminate primary elections for all offices in which the general election is conducted under ranked choice voting.

HB 2202 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Local Government Committee on Thursday, February 22 at 8 am. Its companion, SB 6000, has not been scheduled for hearing.