AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 9
March 2, 2007
(Plain Text Version)
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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director - Legislative Action Shifts to the Floor: Calls from Home are Vital
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
Cities are very concerned about this bill because it would prohibit cities and counties from collecting delinquent utility debt from property owners if the owner notifies the utility that their property is a rental and if the utility contracts directly with the renter for utility payment. Losing the utility lien authority would shift unpaid debt to the rest of the utility customers, thereby raising rates for everyone.
If your city is concerned about this bill, please share your concerns with the members of the Senate Rules Committee. Contact Victoria Lincoln or Sheri Sawyer at AWC for further information.
Attorney Invoices Under the Public Records Act (SHB 1897)
This bill moved out of House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee before the cutoff deadline and therefore is still alive. Several speakers provided suggestions to the committee about how to make the bill clearer without changing the intent of the public records act as it relates to attorney invoices. An amendment was attached to the bill during executive session that cities will want to review. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee for further consideration.
Requiring Website Postings of Certain Information (SSB 5420)
This legislation would require the following:
- The agenda of all regular meetings of any municipality that owns or maintains a website shall be posted within 72 hours before a meeting. Except in cases of an emergency, the agenda of all special or emergency meetings shall be posted within 24 hours before a meeting.
- The text of any ordinance, rule, or regulation that is under consideration at the meeting shall be included on the website at the same time the agenda is posted.
- The minutes of all regular and special meetings of any municipality that owns or maintains a website shall be posted within 15 business days following a meeting (the original bill required posting within 5 days).
While this bill is markedly improved over the original, and exempts smaller cities and towns (fewer than 8,000 residents), the Association is still concerned about some of the provisions. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.
Filling a Vacancy in the Office of Mayor (HB 1391)
This proposal clarifies that incumbent council members in mayor-council cities or towns are eligible to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor without having to resign their council seat first. In addition, the bill removes the restriction that second class cities must only choose a mayoral replacement from among the sitting council members. The bill passed the House on February 23 with a 93-0 vote. It has been referred to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee.
Mid-Term Increases in the Cost of Medical Benefits (SHB 1392)
The Attorney General, in a recent memorandum, determined that a mid-term increase in the cost of medical benefits provided to council members or mayors would constitute a prohibited increase in compensation. Research into current state statute reveals that for other local governments, such as county elected officials and fire protection district and utility commissioners, there is an exemption to the compensation issue for costs associated with medical benefits.
This proposal simply adds cities to the current local government exemptions. The bill is passed the House on February 23 with a 93-0 vote. It has been referred to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee.
Special Elections (SSB 5271)
AWC has concerns about this bill because some cities have expressed unease that it will eliminate election options for local governments. The bill would eliminate March and April special election dates and leave February and May dates. In total, yearly election dates would drop from six dates to four dates. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee for further consideration.
Authorizing City Wards (SHB 2151)
On February 26 the House Local Government Committee passed out a substitute bill which proposes that the qualified electors of Spokane Valley may divide the city into wards or change the boundaries of existing wards at any time greater than three months before a municipal general election.
Although the original bill language was modified to include only the city of Spokane Valley, AWC has still has many of the same concerns as discussed in last week’s Bulletin. The bill is in the House Rules Committee for further consideration.
Other Bills that Appear to be Dead for the Session
- SB 5418 would have required that a concise description in a ballot title for a local referendum or any other question submitted to the voters by a local government include a statement describing the amount the measure will increase or decrease taxes if the measure has tax implications.
- SB 5471 would have limited the power of cities and towns to require business licenses of those businesses located within the city.
- SB 5892 would have allowed claims against a city or county based on "negligent failure" to enforce provisions of the state building code.
In last week’s Bulletin, bills that could affect the AWC Benefit Trust were discussed.
SHB 1569 was heard in the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, March 1. Another substitute bill, introduced by Rep. Bill Hinkle (R-Cle Elum), would make favorable changes to the legislation. The bill would create a "partnership" rather than a "connector" and association plans, such as the AWC Benefit Trust, would not be mandated to join. The bill would require that a report on participation in the partnership be completed by December 1, 2009 and submitted to the Governor and the Legislature, providing information about the risks and benefits of additional markets including association health plans.
SHB 2098 and SSB 5930 are both Governor-request legislation that implement the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care. See last week’s Bulletin for more information about SHB 2098.
SHB 2098 was heard on Tuesday, February 27 in the House Appropriations Committee and passed out of committee on Thursday, March 1. SSB 5930 is scheduled for public hearing on Friday, March 2. The substitute versions of both bills remove the study of the "Connector" that would have looked at pooling the individual and small group markets with association plans. The goal of the study was to expand access while reducing costs.
AWC testified that pooling our association plan with these other markets would have resulted in higher costs with lesser benefits. We are supportive of the current versions of these bills.
Restricting Cities’ Authority to Regulate Tent Encampments (SHB 2244)
This bill, introduced by Rep. Mark Miloscia (D-Federal Way), seeks to simplify the process for cities and counties to issue permits for tent encampments. In it, counties, cities, and towns are prohibited from restricting religious organizations from hosting homeless temporary encampments. Local jurisdictions are prohibited from fining a religious organization unless it has clearly endangered the health and safety of the community. Permit fees for temporary encampments are limited to $500. Permit applications must receive a response within 60 days.
AWC testified in opposition to this proposal before it was passed by the House Housing Committee. We are working on bill language that would clearly preserve our authority to enforce public health and safety measures.
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