title: RCW 54.28.040

text:
(1) Before May 1st of each calendar year through calendar year 2018, the department of revenue must compute the tax imposed by this chapter for the last preceding calendar year and notify the district of the amount thereof, which shall be payable on or before the following June 1st.
(2) For tax reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, taxpayers must report the taxes due under RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 on returns as prescribed by the department of revenue. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (2), taxes imposed in RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 are due for a taxpayer at the same time as the taxpayer's payment of taxes imposed under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW. The department of revenue may allow taxpayers to report and pay the taxes due under RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 on an annual basis, even if they report taxes imposed under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW more frequently than annually. In such cases, the taxes imposed in RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 are due on or before February 25th of the year immediately following the end of the year for which the taxes are being reported and paid.
(3) The department of revenue may require persons to report such information as needed by the department to administer this chapter.
(4)(a) Upon receipt of the amount of each tax imposed the department of revenue shall deposit the same with the state treasurer, who must deposit four percent of the revenues received under RCW 54.28.020(1) and 54.28.025(1) and all revenues received under RCW 54.28.020(2) and 54.28.025(2) in the general fund of the state and must distribute the remainder in the manner hereinafter set forth. The state treasurer must send a duplicate copy of each transmittal to the department of revenue.
(b) The state treasurer must distribute the taxes collected by the department under this chapter monthly at the same time distributions of local sales and use taxes are made in accordance with chapter 82.14 RCW.
[ 2021 c 145 s 1; 2017 c 323 s 103; 1996 c 149 s 16; 1982 1st ex.s. c 35 s 20; 1975 1st ex.s. c 278 s 31; 1957 c 278 s 4. Prior: 1949 c 227 s 1(c); 1947 c 259 s 1(c); 1941 c 245 s 2(c); Rem. Supp. 1949 s 11616-2(c).]
Notes:
Existing rights—Affect of repeal—2017 c 323: "The repeal in section 102 of this act and the amendments in section 103 of this act do not affect any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections repealed or amended or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor does it affect any proceeding instituted under those sections." [ 2017 c 323 s 109.]
Repeal of RCW 54.28.030—Application—2017 c 323: "Section 102 of this act does not apply with respect to reports due under RCW 54.28.030 in calendar year 2018 or any preceding calendar year." [ 2017 c 323 s 108.]
Effective dates—2017 c 323 ss 101-109: See note following RCW 54.28.125.
Tax preference performance statement exemption—Automatic expiration date exemption—2017 c 323: See note following RCW 82.04.040.
Findings—Intent—Effective date—1996 c 149: See notes following RCW 82.32.050.
Severability—Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 35: See notes following RCW 82.08.020.
Construction—Severability—1975 1st ex.s. c 278: See notes following RCW 11.08.160.


doc_type: statute

jurisdiction: wa

title: RCW 54.28.050

text:
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer, after placing thirty-seven and six-tenths percent of the taxes collected under RCW 54.28.020(1) in the state general fund to be dedicated for the benefit of the public schools, to distribute the balance collected under RCW 54.28.020(1)(a) to each county in proportion to the gross revenue from sales made within each county; and to distribute the balance collected under RCW 54.28.020(1) (b) and (c) as follows:
(a) If the entire generating facility, including reservoir, if any, is in a single county then all of the balance to the county where such generating facility is located;
(b) If any reservoir is in more than one county, then to each county in which the reservoir or any portion thereof is located a percentage equal to the percentage determined by dividing the total cost of the generating facilities, including adjacent switching facilities, into twice the cost of land and land rights acquired for any reservoir within each county, land and land rights to be defined the same as used by the federal energy regulatory commission;
(c) If the powerhouse and dam, if any, in connection with such reservoir are in more than one county, the balance must be divided sixty percent to the county in which the owning district is located and forty percent to the other county or counties or if the powerhouse and dam, if any, are owned by a joint operating agency organized under chapter 43.52 RCW, or by more than one district or are outside the county of the owning district, then to be divided equally between the counties in which such facilities are located. If all of the powerhouse and dam, if any, are in one county, then the balance must be distributed to the county in which the facilities are located.
(2) The department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer to adjust distributions under this section, in whole or in part, to account for each county's proportionate share of amounts previously distributed under this section and subsequently refunded to a public utility district under RCW 82.32.060.
(3) The provisions of this section do not apply to the distribution of taxes collected under RCW 54.28.025.
[ 2017 c 323 s 104; 1982 1st ex.s. c 35 s 21; 1980 c 154 s 8; 1977 ex.s. c 366 s 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 278 s 32; 1959 c 274 s 4; 1957 c 278 s 5. Prior: 1949 c 227 s 1(d); 1947 c 259 s 1(d); 1941 c 245 s 2(d); Rem. Supp. 1949 s 11616-2(d).]
Notes:
Effective dates—2017 c 323 ss 101-109: See note following RCW 54.28.125.
Tax preference performance statement exemption—Automatic expiration date exemption—2017 c 323: See note following RCW 82.04.040.
Severability—Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 35: See notes following RCW 82.08.020.
Purpose—Effective dates—Savings—Disposition of certain funds—Severability—1980 c 154: See notes following chapter 82.45 RCW digest.
Construction—Severability—1975 1st ex.s. c 278: See notes following RCW 11.08.160.
Effective date—1959 c 274: "The effective date of section 4 of this 1959 amendatory act shall be January 1, 1960." [ 1959 c 274 s 6.]

license: public-domain-government-work

rule_set: Revised Code of Washington

catchline: Distribution of tax.

code: rcw

unit: section

court: Washington State Legislature


title: RCW 54.28.055

text:
(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer to distribute the amount collected under RCW 54.28.025(1) as follows:
(a) Fifty percent to the state general fund for the support of schools; and
(b) Twenty-two percent to the counties, twenty-three percent to the cities, three percent to the fire protection districts, and two percent to the library districts.
(2) Each county, city, fire protection district, and library district must receive a percentage of the amount for distribution to counties, cities, fire protection districts, and library districts, respectively, in the proportion that the population of such district residing within the impacted area bears to the total population of all such districts residing within the impacted area. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "library district" includes only regional libraries, rural county library districts, intercounty rural library districts, and island library districts as those terms are defined in RCW 27.12.010. The population of a library district, for purposes of such a distribution, does not include any population within the library district and the impact area that also is located within a city or town.
(3) Distributions under this section must be adjusted as follows:
(a) If any distribution pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section cannot be made, then that share must be prorated among the state and remaining local districts.
(b) The department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer to adjust distributions under this section, in whole or in part, to account for each county's, city's, fire protection district's, and library district's proportionate share of amounts previously distributed under this section and subsequently refunded to a public utility district under RCW 82.32.060.
(4) All distributions directed by this section to be made on the basis of population must be calculated in accordance with population data as last determined by the office of financial management.
[ 2021 c 145 s 2; 2017 3rd sp.s. c 28 s 502; (2017 3rd sp.s. c 28 s 501 expired January 1, 2018); 2017 c 323 s 105; 1986 c 189 s 1; 1982 1st ex.s. c 35 s 22; 1979 c 151 s 165; 1977 ex.s. c 366 s 7.]
Notes:
Expiration date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 28 s 501: "Section 501 of this act expires January 1, 2018." [ 2017 3rd sp.s. c 28 s 607.]
Existing rights and liability—Severability—Application—Effective dates—2017 3rd sp.s. c 28: See notes following RCW 82.08.0531.
Effective dates—2017 c 323 ss 101-109: See note following RCW 54.28.125.
Tax preference performance statement exemption—Automatic expiration date exemption—2017 c 323: See note following RCW 82.04.040.
Severability—Effective dates—1982 1st ex.s. c 35: See notes following RCW 82.08.020.

catchline: Distribution of tax proceeds from thermal electric generating facilities.


title: RCW 54.28.060

text:
Interest at the rate as computed under RCW 82.32.050(2) shall be added to the tax hereby imposed from the due date until the date of payment. The tax shall constitute a debt to the state and may be collected as such.
[ 1996 c 149 s 12; 1957 c 278 s 6. Prior: 1949 c 227 s 1(e); 1947 c 259 s 1(e); 1941 c 245 s 2(e); Rem. Supp. 1949 s 11616-2(e).]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—Effective date—1996 c 149: See notes following RCW 82.32.050.

catchline: Interest.


title: RCW 54.28.070

text:
Any city or town in which a public utility district operates works, plants or facilities for the distribution and sale of electricity shall have the power to levy and collect from such district a tax on the gross revenues derived by such district from the sale of electricity within the city or town, exclusive of the revenues derived from the sale of electricity for purposes of resale. Such tax when levied shall be a debt of the district, and may be collected as such. Any such district shall have the power to add the amount of such tax to the rates or charges it makes for electricity so sold within the limits of such city or town.
[ 1941 c 245 s 3; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11616-3.]

catchline: Municipal taxes—May be passed on.


title: RCW 54.28.080

text:
Whenever any district acquires an operating property from any private person, firm, or corporation and a portion of the operating property is situated within the boundaries of any school district and at the time of such acquisition there is an outstanding bonded indebtedness of the school district, then the public utility district shall, in addition to the tax imposed by this chapter, pay directly to the school district a proportion of all subsequent payments by the school district of principal and interest on said bonded indebtedness, said additional payments to be computed and paid as follows: The amount of principal and interest required to be paid by the school district shall be multiplied by the percentage which the assessed value of the property acquired bore to the assessed value of the total property in the school district at the time of such acquisition. Such additional amounts shall be paid by the public utility district to the school district not less than fifteen days prior to the date that such principal and interest payments are required to be paid by the school district. In addition, any public utility district which acquires from any private person, firm, or corporation an operating property situated within a school district, is authorized to make voluntary payments to such school district for the use and benefit of the school district.
[ 1957 c 278 s 8. Prior: 1949 c 227 s 1(g); 1941 c 245 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 11616-2(g).]

catchline: Additional tax for payment on bonded indebtedness of school districts.


title: RCW 54.28.090

text:
(1) The county legislative authority of each county must direct the county treasurer to deposit funds to the credit of each taxing district in the county, other than school districts, according to the manner they deem most equitable; except not less than an amount equal to three-fourths of one percent of the gross revenues obtained by a district from the sale of electric energy within any incorporated city or town must be remitted to such city or town. Information furnished by the district to the county legislative authority must be the basis for the determination of the amount to be paid to such cities or towns under this subsection.
(2) In the event that a county receives tax proceeds under RCW 54.28.050 because a public utility district operated by another county owns fee title to property in a city or town in the county that receives such tax proceeds, and that city or town adjoins a reservoir on the Columbia river wholly or partially created by such district's hydroelectric facility which began commercial power generation in 1967, but the district has no sales of electrical energy in that city or town, the county may retain seventy percent of such tax proceeds. The county must remit the remainder of the tax proceeds to the city or town in which the district owns fee title to property but has no sales of electrical energy. If the district owns fee title to property in more than one city or town in the county receiving such tax proceeds, and has no sales of electrical energy in those cities or towns, the remainder of the tax must be divided evenly among all such cities and towns.
(3) The provisions of this section do not apply to the distribution of taxes collected under RCW 54.28.025.
[ 2011 c 361 s 1; 1980 c 154 s 9; 1977 ex.s. c 366 s 5; 1957 c 278 s 10.]
Notes:
Application—2011 c 361: "This act applies to public utility district privilege taxes to be distributed in 2012 and each year thereafter." [ 2011 c 361 s 2.]
Purpose—Effective dates—Savings—Disposition of certain funds—Severability—1980 c 154: See notes following chapter 82.45 RCW digest.

catchline: Deposit of funds to credit of certain taxing districts—Retention and distribution of tax proceeds for county with district owned by another county.


title: RCW 54.28.100

text:
All moneys received by any taxing district shall be used for purposes for which state taxes may be used under the provisions of the state constitution.
[ 1957 c 278 s 11.]
Notes:
Revenue and taxation: State Constitution Art. 7.

catchline: Use of moneys received by taxing district.


title: RCW 54.28.110

text:
Whenever, hereafter, property is removed from the tax rolls as a result of the acquisition of operating property or the construction of a generating plant by a public utility district, such public utility district may make voluntary payments to any municipal corporation or other entity authorized to levy and collect taxes in an amount not to exceed the amount of tax revenues being received by such municipal corporation or other entity at the time of said acquisition or said construction and which are lost by such municipal corporation or other entity as a result of the acquisition of operating property or the construction of a generating plant by the public utility district: PROVIDED, That this section shall not apply to taxing districts as defined in RCW 54.28.010, and: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in the event any operating property so removed from the tax rolls is dismantled or partially dismantled the payment which may be paid hereunder shall be correspondingly reduced.
[ 1957 c 278 s 13.]

catchline: Voluntary payments by district to taxing entity for removal of property from tax rolls.


title: RCW 54.28.120

text:
In the event any district hereafter purchases or otherwise acquires electric utility properties comprising all or a portion of an electric generation and/or distribution system from a public service company, as defined in RCW 80.04.010, the total amount of privilege taxes imposed under chapter 278, Laws of 1957 to be paid by the district annually on the combined operating property within each county where such utility property is located, irrespective of any other basis of levy contained in this chapter, will be not less than the combined total of the ad valorem taxes, based on regular levies, last levied against the electric utility property constituting the system so purchased or acquired plus the taxes paid by the district for the same year on the revenues of other operating property in the same county under terms of this chapter. If all or any portion of the property so acquired is subsequently sold, or if rates charged to purchasers of electric energy are reduced, the amount of privilege tax required under this section shall be proportionately reduced.
[ 1957 c 278 s 14.]

catchline: Amount of tax if district acquires electric utility property from public service company.


title: RCW 54.28.125

text:
(1) The following provisions of chapter 82.32 RCW apply with respect to the state taxes administered by the department of revenue under this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: RCW 82.32.050, 82.32.060, 82.32.070, 82.32.080, 82.32.085, 82.32.090, 82.32.100, 82.32.105, 82.32.110, 82.32.117, 82.32.120, 82.32.130, 82.32.135, 82.32.150, 82.32.160, 82.32.170, 82.32.180, 82.32.190, 82.32.200, 82.32.210, 82.32.235, 82.32.237, 82.32.240, 82.32.270, 82.32.310, 82.32.320, 82.32.330, 82.32.340, 82.32.350, 82.32.360, 82.32.410, and any other provision of chapter 82.32 RCW specifically referenced in the statutes listed in this subsection (1).
(2) Chapter 82.32 RCW also applies with respect to the state taxes administered by the department of revenue under this chapter to the extent provided in any other provision of law.
(3) The definitions in this chapter have full force and application with respect to the application of chapter 82.32 RCW to this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
[ 2017 c 323 s 101.]
Notes:
Effective dates—2017 c 323 ss 101-109: "(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, part I of this act takes effect January 1, 2018.
(2) Section 102 of this act takes effect April 1, 2018." [ 2017 c 323 s 1102.]
Tax preference performance statement exemption—Automatic expiration date exemption—2017 c 323: See note following RCW 82.04.040.

catchline: Public utility district privilege tax—Tools for administration.


title: RCW 54.28.140

text:
(1) See RCW 82.32.805 for the expiration date of new tax preferences for the tax imposed under this chapter.
(2) See RCW 82.32.808 for reporting requirements for any new tax preference for the tax imposed under this chapter.
[ 2013 2nd sp.s. c 13 s 1722.]
Notes:
Effective date—2013 2nd sp.s. c 13: See note following RCW 82.04.43393.

catchline: Tax preferences—Expiration dates.


title: RCW 54.32.001

text:
Actions taken under chapter 54.32 RCW may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1989 c 84 s 49.]

catchline: Actions subject to review by boundary review board.


title: RCW 54.32.010

text:
Two or more contiguous public utility districts may become consolidated into one public utility district after proceedings had as required by *sections 8909, 8910 and 8911, of Remington's Compiled Statutes of Washington, PROVIDED, That a ten percent petition shall be sufficient; and public utility districts shall be held to be municipal corporations within the meaning of said sections, and the commission shall be held to be the legislative body of the public utility district as the term legislative body is used in said sections: PROVIDED, That any such consolidation shall in nowise affect or impair the title to any property owned or held by any such public utility district, or in trust therefor, or any debts, demands, liabilities or obligations existing in favor of or against either of the districts so consolidated, or any proceeding then pending: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That no property within either of the former public utility districts shall ever be taxed to pay any of the indebtedness of either of the other such former districts.
The boundaries of any public utility district may be enlarged and new territory included therein, after proceedings had as required by **section 8894 of Remington's Compiled Statutes of Washington: PROVIDED, That a ten percent petition shall be sufficient; and public utility districts shall be held to be municipal corporations within the meaning of said section, and the commission shall be held to be the legislative body of the public utility district: PROVIDED, That no property within such territory so annexed shall ever be taxed to pay any portion of any indebtedness of such public utility district contracted prior to or existing at the date of such annexation.
In all cases wherein public utility districts of less area than an entire county desire to be consolidated with a public utility district including an entire county, and in all cases wherein it is desired to enlarge a public utility district including an entire county, by annexing a lesser area than an entire county, no election shall be required to be held in the district including an entire county.
[ 1931 c 1 s 10; RRS s 11614. Formerly RCW 54.32.010 through 54.32.030.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: *(1) Rem. Comp. Stat. ss8909, 8910, and 8911 relating to the consolidation of municipal corporations had been repealed and reenacted by 1929 c 64 at the time the above section was enacted. 1929 c 64 was compiled as RRS s 8909-1 through 8909-12; see chapter 35.10 RCW.
**(2) Rem. Comp. Stat. s8894 became chapter 35.12 RCW. RCW 35.12.010, the only section in that chapter, was repealed by 1969 ex.s. c 89 s 18.

catchline: Consolidation of districts—Property taxed—Boundaries enlarged.


title: RCW 54.32.040

text:
Upon the formation of a countywide public utility district in any county such district shall have the right, in addition to any other right provided by law, to acquire by purchase or condemnation any electrical distribution properties in the county from any other public utility district or combination of public utility districts for a period of five years from the time of organization of said public utility district.
[ 1951 c 272 s 2.]
Notes:
Acquisition of electrical distribution property from public utility district by cities and towns: RCW 35.92.054.

catchline: Right of countywide utility district to acquire distribution properties.


title: RCW 54.36.010

text:
As used in this chapter:
"Public utility district" means public utility district or districts or a joint operating agency or agencies.
"Construction project" means the construction of generating facilities by a public utility district. It includes the relocation of highways and railroads, by whomever done, to the extent that it is occasioned by the overflowing of their former locations, or by destruction or burying incident to the construction.
"Base-year enrollment" means the number of pupils enrolled in a school district on the first of May next preceding the date construction was commenced.
"Subsequent-year enrollment" means the number of pupils enrolled in a school district on any first of May after construction was commenced.
"Construction pupils" means pupils who have a parent who is a full time employee on the construction project and who moved into the school district subsequent to the first day of May next preceding the day the construction was commenced.
"Nonconstruction pupils" means other pupils.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 10 s 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 s 99; 1957 c 137 s 1.]
Notes:
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
Operating agencies: Chapter 43.52 RCW.

catchline: Definitions.


title: RCW 54.36.020

text:
When as the result of a public utility district construction project a school district considers it is suffering an increased financial burden in any year during the construction project, it shall determine the number of construction pupils enrolled in the school district on the first of May of such year.
[ 1957 c 137 s 2.]

catchline: Increased financial burden on school district—Determination of number of construction pupils.


title: RCW 54.36.030

text:
If the subsequent-year enrollment exceeds one hundred and three percent of the base-year enrollment, the public utility district shall compensate the school district for a number of construction pupils computed as follows:
(1) If the subsequent-year enrollment of nonconstruction pupils is less than the base-year enrollment, compensation shall be paid for the total number of all pupils minus one hundred and three percent of the base-year enrollment.
(2) If the subsequent-year enrollment of nonconstruction pupils is not less than the base-year enrollment, compensation shall be paid for the total number of construction pupils minus three percent of the base-year enrollment.
[ 1957 c 137 s 3.]

catchline: Compensation of school district for construction pupils—Computation.


title: RCW 54.36.040

text:
The compensation to be paid per construction pupils as computed in RCW 54.36.030 shall be one-third of the average per-pupil cost of the local school district, for the school year then current.
[ 1957 c 137 s 4.]

catchline: Compensation of school district for construction pupils—Amount to be paid.


title: RCW 54.36.050

text:
If more than one public utility district or joint operating agency is carrying on a construction project in the same school district, the number of construction pupils for whom the school district is to receive compensation shall be computed as if the projects were constructed by a single agency. The public utility districts or joint operating agencies involved shall divide the cost of such compensation between themselves in proportion to the number of construction pupils occasioned by the operations of each.
[ 1957 c 137 s 5.]

catchline: Compensation of school district for construction pupils—How paid when more than one project in the same school district.


title: RCW 54.36.060

text:
Public utility districts are hereby authorized to make voluntary payments to a school district for capital construction if their construction projects cause an increased financial burden for such purpose on the school district.
[ 1957 c 137 s 6.]

catchline: Power to make voluntary payments to school district for capital construction.


title: RCW 54.36.070

text:
Public utilities are hereby authorized to make payments to a county or other taxing district in existence before the commencement of construction on the construction project which suffers an increased financial burden because of their construction projects, but such amount shall not be more than the amount by which the property taxes levied against the contractors engaged in the work on the construction project failed to meet said increased financial burden.
[ 1957 c 137 s 7.]

catchline: Increased financial burden on county or other taxing district—Power to make payments.


title: RCW 54.36.080

text:
The funds paid by a public utility district to a school district under the provisions of this chapter shall not be considered a school district receipt by the superintendent of public instruction in determining equalization apportionments under *RCW 28.41.080.
[ 1957 c 137 s 8.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: RCW 28.41.080 was repealed by 1965 ex.s. c 154 s 12; as a part thereof said section concludes with the following proviso ". . . PROVIDED, That the provisions of such statutes herein repealed insofar as they are expressly or impliedly adopted by reference or otherwise referred to in or for the benefit of any other statutes, are hereby preserved for such purposes."

catchline: Funds received by school district—Equalization apportionment.


title: RCW 54.40.010

text:
A five commissioner public utility district is a district that (1) either: (a) Has or had a license from the federal power commission to construct a hydroelectric project of an estimated cost of more than two hundred and fifty million dollars, including interest during construction; or (b) has a population of five hundred thousand or more; and (2) voters of the district approved a ballot proposition authorizing the district to become a five commissioner district as provided under RCW 54.40.040. All other public utility districts shall be known as three commissioner districts.
[ 1994 c 223 s 57; 1977 ex.s. c 36 s 1; 1959 c 265 s 2.]


title: RCW 54.40.020

text:
Every public utility district which on September 21, 1977, shall be in existence and have such a license shall be qualified to become a five commissioner district upon approval of the voters of said district, and every public utility district which on September 21, 1977, shall have become a first-class district as previously provided by chapter 265, Laws of 1959 shall be a five commissioner district.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 36 s 2; 1959 c 265 s 3.]


title: RCW 54.40.030

text:
Within five days after a public utility district shall receive a license from the federal power commission to construct a hydroelectric project of an estimated cost of more than two hundred and fifty million dollars, including interest during construction, or, in the case of a district which on September 21, 1977, is in existence and has such a license within five days of September 21, 1977, the district shall forward a true copy of said license, certified by the secretary of the district, to the county auditor of the county wherein said district is located.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 36 s 3; 1959 c 265 s 4.]

catchline: Transmittal of copies of federal hydroelectric license to county auditor.


title: RCW 54.40.040

text:
A public utility district that has or had a license from the federal power commission to construct a hydroelectric project of an estimated cost of more than two hundred fifty million dollars, including interest during construction, or has a population of five hundred thousand or more, shall be classified as a five commissioner district if voters of the district approve a ballot proposition authorizing the change. In submitting the question to the voters for their approval or rejection, the proposition shall be expressed on the ballot in substantially the following terms:
Shall Public Utility District No. . . . . be reclassified a Five Commissioner District for the purpose of increasing the number of commissioners to five. . . .
YES □
NO □
Should a majority of the voters voting on the question approve the proposition, the district shall be declared a five commissioner district upon the certification of the election returns.
[ 1994 c 223 s 58; 1977 ex.s. c 36 s 4; 1959 c 265 s 5.]

catchline: Criteria, election to reclassify as a five commissioner district—Ballot form—Vote required.


title: RCW 54.40.050

text:
The question of reclassification of a public utility district that has or had a license from the federal power commission to construct a hydroelectric project of an estimated cost of more than two hundred fifty million dollars, including interest during construction, or has a population of five hundred thousand or more, as a five commissioner public utility district shall be submitted to the voters if a petition proposing the change is filed with the county auditor of the county in which the district is located, identifying the district by number and praying that an election be held to determine whether it shall become a five commissioner district. The petition must be signed by a number of registered voters of the district equal to at least ten percent of the number of registered voters in the district who voted at the last general election and include each signer's residence address.
The petition shall be filed with the county auditor for verification of the validity of the signatures. Within thirty days after receipt of the petition, the county auditor shall determine the sufficiency of the petition. If the petition is found insufficient, the person who filed the same shall be notified by mail and he or she shall have an additional fifteen days from the date of mailing such notice within which to submit additional signatures, and the county auditor shall have an additional thirty days after the submission of such additional signatures to determine the validity of the entire petition. No signature may be withdrawn after the petition has been filed.
If the petition, including these additional signatures if any, is found sufficient, the county auditor shall certify its sufficiency to the public utility district and if the commissioners of the public utility district had certified to the county auditor the eligibility of the district for reclassification as provided in this chapter, the county auditor shall submit to the voters of the district the question of whether the district shall become a five commissioner district. The election shall be held at the next state general election occurring sixty or more days after the petition was certified as having sufficient valid signatures.
[ 2010 c 8 s 17009; 1994 c 223 s 59; 1977 ex.s. c 36 s 5; 1959 c 265 s 6.]

catchline: Petition for reclassification—Certificate of sufficiency—Election.


title: RCW 54.40.060

text:
If the reclassification to a five commissioner district is approved by the voters, the public utility district commission within sixty days after the results of said election are certified shall divide the public utility district into two districts of as nearly equal population as possible, and shall designate the districts as District A and District B.
[ 1994 c 223 s 60; 1977 ex.s. c 36 s 6; 1959 c 265 s 7.]

catchline: Division of district.


title: RCW 54.40.070

text:
Within thirty days after the public utility district commission divides the district into District A and District B, the county legislative authority shall call a special election, to be held at the next special election date provided for under RCW 29A.04.321 that occurs sixty or more days after the call, at which time the initial commissioners for District A and District B shall be elected. No primary shall be held and a special filing period shall be opened as provided in RCW 29A.24.171 and 29A.24.181. The person receiving the greatest number of votes for each position shall be elected.
The person who is elected receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected to a four-year term of office, and the other person who is elected shall be elected to a two-year term of office, if the election is held in an even-numbered year, or the person who is elected receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected to a three-year term of office, and the other person who is elected shall be elected to a one-year term of office, if the election is held in an odd-numbered year. The length of these terms of office shall be calculated from the first day in January in the year following their elections.
The newly elected commissioners shall assume office immediately after being elected and qualified and shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified and assume office in accordance with RCW 29A.60.280. Each successor shall be elected to a four-year term of office.
[ 2015 c 53 s 86; 1994 c 223 s 61; 1977 ex.s. c 36 s 7; 1959 c 265 s 8.]

catchline: Special election for commissioners from districts—Terms.


title: RCW 54.44.010

text:
It is declared to be in the public interest and for a public purpose that cities of the first class, public utility districts, joint operating agencies organized under chapter 43.52 RCW, regulated electrical companies and, rural electrical cooperatives including generation and transmission cooperatives be permitted to participate together in the development of nuclear and other thermal power facilities and transmission facilities as hereinafter provided as one means of achieving economies of scale and thereby promoting the economic development of the state and its natural resources to meet the future power needs of the state and all its inhabitants.
[1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 72 s 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 7 s 1; 1967 c 159 s 1.]
Notes:
Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 72: "If any provision of this 1976 amendatory 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." [1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 72 s 3.]
Legislative finding—Emergency—1973 1st ex.s. c 7: "The legislature finds that the immediate planning, financing, acquisition and construction of electric generating and transmission facilities as provided in sections 1 through 6 of this 1973 amendatory act is a public necessity to meet the power requirements of the public utility districts, cities, joint operating agencies and regulated utilities referred to in sections 1 through 6 of this 1973 amendatory act and the inhabitants of this state; further that such public utility districts, cities, joint operating agencies and regulated utilities are ready, willing and able to undertake such planning, financing, acquisition and construction of said electric generating and transmission facilities immediately upon the passage of sections 1 through 6 of this 1973 amendatory act. This 1973 amendatory 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." [ 1973 1st ex.s. c 7 s 7.]
Energy facilities, site locations: Chapter 80.50 RCW.
Nuclear energy and radiation: Chapter 70A.388 RCW.

catchline: Declaration of public purpose.


title: RCW 54.44.020

text:
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, cities of the first class, public utility districts organized under chapter 54.08 RCW, which operate electric generating facilities or distribution systems, and any joint operating agency organized under chapter 43.52 RCW shall have power and authority to participate and enter into agreements with each other and with electrical companies which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Washington utilities and transportation commission or the regulatory commission of any other state, hereinafter called "regulated utilities", and with rural electric cooperatives, including generation and transmission cooperatives, with any other person or entities for the development, use, and ownership of any type of electric generating plants and facilities, including, but not limited to, nuclear and other thermal power generating plants and facilities, renewable energy facilities, energy storage facilities, and transmission facilities including, but not limited to, related transmission facilities, hereinafter called "common facilities", and for the planning, financing, acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance thereof. Agreements under this section include, but are not limited to, joint venture agreements and limited liability company agreements. It shall be provided in such agreements that each city, public utility district, or joint operating agency shall own a percentage of any common facility at least equal to the percentage of the money furnished or the value of property supplied by it for the acquisition and construction thereof and shall own and control a like percentage of the electrical output thereof.
(2)(a) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, cities of the first class, counties with a biomass facility authorized under RCW 36.140.010, public utility districts organized under chapter 54.08 RCW, any cities that operate electric generating facilities or distribution systems, any joint operating agency organized under chapter 43.52 RCW, or any separate legal entity comprising two or more thereof organized under chapter 39.34 RCW shall, either directly or as co-owners of a separate legal entity, have power and authority to participate and enter into agreements described in (b) and (c) of this subsection with each other, and with any of the following, either directly or as co-owners of a separate legal entity:
(i) Any public agency, as that term is defined in RCW 39.34.020;
(ii) Electrical companies that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Washington utilities and transportation commission or the regulatory commission of any state;
(iii) Rural electric cooperatives and generation and transmission cooperatives or any wholly owned subsidiaries of either rural electric cooperatives or generation and transmission cooperatives; and
(iv) Any other persons or entities.
(b) Except as provided in (b)(i)(B) of this subsection (2), agreements including, but not limited to, joint venture agreements and limited liability company agreements, may provide for:
(i)(A) The development, use, or ownership, or indirect ownership in the case of a separate legal entity, of common facilities that include any type of electric generating plant generating an eligible renewable resource, as defined in RCW 19.285.030, energy storage facilities, and transmission facilities including, but not limited to, related transmission facilities, and for the planning, financing, acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance thereof;
(B) For counties with a biomass facility authorized under RCW 36.140.010, the provisions in (b)(i)(A) of this subsection (2) are limited to the purposes of RCW 36.140.010; and
(ii) The formation, operation, and ownership of a separate legal entity that may own the common facilities.
(c) Agreements must provide that each city, county, public utility district, or joint operating agency:
(i) Owns a percentage of any common facility or a percentage of any separate legal entity at least equal to the percentage of the money furnished or the value of property supplied by it for the acquisition and construction thereof; and
(ii) Owns and controls, or has a right to own and control in the case of a separate legal entity, a like percentage of the electrical output thereof.
(d) Any entity in which a public utility district participates, either directly or as co-owner of a separate legal entity, in constructing or developing a common facility pursuant to this subsection shall comply with the provisions of chapter 39.12 RCW.
(3) Each participant shall defray its own interest and other payments required to be made or deposited in connection with any financing undertaken by it to pay its percentage of the money furnished or value of property supplied by it for the planning, acquisition and construction of any common facility, or any additions or betterments thereto. The agreement shall provide a uniform method of determining and allocating operation and maintenance expenses of the common facility.
(4) Each city, county acting under RCW 36.140.010, public utility district, joint operating agency, regulated utility, and cooperatives participating in the direct or indirect ownership or operation of a common facility described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall pay all taxes chargeable to its share of the common facility and the electric energy generated thereby under applicable statutes as now or hereafter in effect, and may make payments during preliminary work and construction for any increased financial burden suffered by any county or other existing taxing district in the county in which the common facility is located, pursuant to agreement with such county or taxing district.
[ 2025 c 279 s 2; 2010 c 167 s 2; 2008 c 198 s 3; 1997 c 230 s 2; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 72 s 2; 1974 ex.s. c 72 s 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 7 s 2; 1967 c 159 s 2.]
Notes:
Finding—2008 c 198: See note following RCW 39.34.030.
Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 72: See note following RCW 54.44.010.

catchline: Authority to participate in and enter into agreements—Percentage of ownership—Expenses—Taxes—Payments.


title: RCW 54.44.030

text:
In carrying out the powers granted in this chapter, each such city, public utility district, or joint operating agency shall be severally liable only for its own acts and not jointly or severally liable for the acts, omissions or obligations of others. No money or property supplied by any such city, public utility district, or joint operating agency for the planning, financing, acquisition, construction, operation or maintenance of any common facility shall be credited or otherwise applied to the account of any other participant therein, nor shall the undivided share of any city, public utility district, or joint operating agency in any common facility be charged, directly or indirectly, with any debt or obligation of any other participant or be subject to any lien as a result thereof. No action in connection with a common facility shall be binding upon any public utility district, city, or joint operating agency unless authorized or approved by resolution or ordinance of its governing body.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 7 s 3; 1967 c 159 s 3.]

catchline: Liability of city, joint operating agency, or public utility district—Extent—Limitations.


title: RCW 54.44.040

text:
Any such city, public utility district, or joint operating agency participating in common facilities under this chapter, without an election, may furnish money and provide property, both real and personal, issue and sell revenue bonds pledging revenues of its electric system and its interest or share of the revenues derived from the common facilities and any additions and betterments thereto in order to pay its respective share of the costs of the planning, financing, acquisition and construction thereof. Such bonds shall be issued under the provisions of applicable laws authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds for the acquisition and construction of electric public utility properties by cities, public utility districts, or joint operating agencies as the case may be. All moneys paid or property supplied by any such city, public utility district, or joint operating agency for the purpose of carrying out the powers conferred herein are declared to be for a public purpose.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 7 s 4; 1967 c 159 s 4.]

catchline: Authority to provide money and/or property, issue revenue bonds—Declaration of public purpose.


title: RCW 54.44.050

text:
All moneys belonging to cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies in connection with common facilities shall be deposited in such depositories as qualify for the deposit of public funds and shall be accounted for and disbursed in accordance with applicable law.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 7 s 5; 1967 c 159 s 5.]

catchline: Depositories—Disbursement of funds.


title: RCW 54.44.060

text:
Any agreement with respect to work to be done or material furnished by any such city, public utility district, or joint operating agency in connection with the construction, maintenance and operation of the common facilities, and any additions and betterments thereto shall be in conformity, as near as may be, with applicable laws now or hereafter in effect relating to public utility districts or cities of the first class.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 7 s 6; 1967 c 159 s 6.]

catchline: Agreements to conform to applicable laws.


title: RCW 54.44.900

text:
The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof. This chapter shall not be construed to affect any existing act or part thereof relating to the construction, operation or maintenance of any public utility.
[ 1967 c 159 s 7.]

catchline: Liberal construction—Not to affect existing acts.


title: RCW 54.48.010

text:
When used in this chapter:
(1) "Public utility" means any privately owned public utility company engaged in rendering electric service to the public for hire, any public utility district engaged in rendering service to residential customers and any city or town engaged in the electric business.
(2) "Cooperative" means any cooperative having authority to engage in the electric business.
[ 1969 c 102 s 1.]

catchline: Definitions.


title: RCW 54.48.020

text:
The legislature hereby declares that the duplication of the electric lines and service of public utilities and cooperatives is uneconomical, may create unnecessary hazards to the public safety, discourages investment in permanent underground facilities, and is unattractive, and thus is contrary to the public interest and further declares that it is in the public interest for public utilities and cooperatives to enter into agreements for the purpose of avoiding or eliminating such duplication.
[ 1969 c 102 s 2.]

catchline: Legislative declaration of policy.


title: RCW 54.48.030

text:
In aid of the foregoing declaration of policy, any public utility and any cooperative is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with any one or more other public utility or one or more other cooperative for the designation of the boundaries of adjoining service areas which each such public utility or each such cooperative shall observe, for the establishment of procedures for orderly extension of service in adjoining areas not currently served by any such public utility or any such cooperative and for the acquisition or disposal by purchase or sale by any such public utility or any such cooperative of duplicating utility facilities, which agreements shall be for a reasonable period of time not in excess of twenty-five years: PROVIDED, That the participation in such agreement of any public utility which is an electrical company under RCW 80.04.010, excepting cities and towns, shall be approved by the Washington utilities and transportation commission.
[ 1969 c 102 s 3.]

catchline: Agreements between public utilities and cooperatives authorized—Boundaries—Extension procedures—Purchase or sale—Approval.


title: RCW 54.48.040

text:
Nothing herein shall be construed to classify a cooperative having authority to engage in the electric business as a public utility or to include cooperatives under the authority of the Washington utilities and transportation commission.
[ 1969 c 102 s 4.]

catchline: Cooperatives not to be classified as public utilities or under authority of utilities and transportation commission.


title: RCW 54.52.010

text:
(1) A public utility district may include along with, or as part of, its regular customer billings a request for voluntary contributions to assist qualified low-income residential customers of the district in paying their electricity bills. All funds received by the district in response to such requests shall be (a) transmitted (i) to the grantee of the department of commerce which administers federally funded energy assistance programs for the state in the district's service area or (ii) to a charitable organization within the district's service area; or (b) retained by the district. All such funds shall be used solely to supplement assistance to low-income residential customers of the district in paying their electricity bills. The grantee, charitable organization, or district is responsible to determine which of the district's customers are qualified for low-income assistance and the amount of assistance to be provided to those who are qualified.
(2) A public utility district may include with or as part of its regular customer billings, a request for voluntary contributions to assist qualified low-income residential customers of the district in paying their water and sewer bills. All funds received by the district as a result of these requests shall be transmitted to a charitable organization within the district's service area or retained by the district and distributed solely to assist qualified low-income residential customers in paying their water and sewer bills. The charitable organization or district is responsible for determining which of the district's customers are qualified to receive low-income assistance and the amount of assistance provided to qualified customers.
[ 2011 c 29 s 1; 2007 c 132 s 1; 1995 c 399 s 145; 1985 c 6 s 20; 1984 c 59 s 1.]

catchline: Voluntary contributions to assist low-income residential customers—Administration.


title: RCW 54.52.020

text:
All assistance provided under this chapter shall be disbursed by the grantee, charitable organization, or district. When applicable, the public utility district will be paid on behalf of the customer by the grantee or the charitable organization. When direct vendor payment is not feasible, a check will be issued jointly payable to the customer and the public utility district. The availability of funds for assistance to a district's low-income customers as a result of voluntary contributions shall not reduce the amount of assistance for which the district's customers are eligible under the federally funded energy assistance programs administered by the grantee of the department of commerce within the district's service area. When applicable, the grantee or charitable organization shall provide the district with a quarterly report on January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th which includes information concerning the total amount of funds received from the district, the names of all recipients of assistance from these funds, the amount received by each recipient, and the amount of funds received from the district currently on hand and available for future low-income assistance.
[ 2023 c 470 s 2096; 2007 c 132 s 2; 1995 c 399 s 146; 1985 c 6 s 21; 1984 c 59 s 2.]
Notes:
Explanatory statement—2023 c 470: See note following RCW 10.99.030.

catchline: Disbursal of contributions—Quarterly report.


title: RCW 54.52.030

text:
Contributions received under a program implemented by a public utility district in compliance with this chapter shall not be considered a commingling of funds.
[ 1984 c 59 s 3.]

catchline: Contributions not considered commingling of funds.


title: RCW 55.04.050

text: See port districts, chapter 53.48 RCW.

catchline: Dissolution.


title: RCW 55.04.060

text: See chapter 57.90 RCW.

catchline: Disincorporation of district located in county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more and inactive for five years.


title: RCW 57.02.001

text:
Every sewer district and every water district previously created shall be reclassified and shall become a water-sewer district, and shall be known as the ". . . . . Water-Sewer District," or "Water-Sewer District No. . . . ." or shall continue to be known as a "sewer district" or a "water district," with the existing name or number inserted, as appropriate. As used in this title, "district" means a water-sewer district, a sewer district, or a water district. All debts, contracts, and obligations previously made or incurred by or in favor of any water district or sewer district, and all bonds or other obligations issued or executed by those districts, and all assessments or levies, and all other things and proceedings done or taken by those districts or by their respective officers, are declared legal and valid and of full force and effect.
[ 1996 c 230 s 101.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—1996 c 230: "Part headings as used in this act do not constitute any part of the law." [ 1996 c 230 s 1700.]
Effective date—1996 c 230: "This act shall take effect July 1, 1997." [ 1996 c 230 s 1704.]

catchline: Reclassification of water and sewer districts—Previous actions valid.


title: RCW 57.02.010

text:
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed by the owners of property, the following rules shall govern the sufficiency of the petitions:
(1) The signature of a record owner, as determined by the records of the county auditor of the county in which the real property is located, shall be sufficient without the signature of the owner's spouse.
(2) For mortgaged property, the signature of the mortgagor shall be sufficient.
(3) For property purchased on contract, the signature of the contract purchaser, as shown by the records of the county auditor of the county in which the real property is located, shall be sufficient.
(4) Any officer of a corporation owning land in the district duly authorized to execute deeds or encumbrances on behalf of the corporation may sign on behalf of that corporation, except that there shall be attached to the petition a certified excerpt from the bylaws showing such authority.
(5) If any property in the district stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a guardian has been appointed, the signature of the personal representative, administrator, or guardian, as the case may be, shall be equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property.
[ 1996 c 230 s 102; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 8; 1953 c 251 s 24.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Petition signatures of property owners—Rules governing.


title: RCW 57.02.015

text:
The board of commissioners of a district may notify the owner or reputed owner of any tract, parcel of land, or other property located within the area included in a petition being circulated for a local improvement district or utility local improvement district under chapter 57.16 RCW, an annexation under chapter 57.24 RCW, a consolidation under chapter 57.32 RCW, a merger under chapter 57.36 RCW, a withdrawal of territory under chapter 57.28 RCW, or a transfer of territory under RCW 57.32.160.
Upon the request of any person, the board of commissioners of a district may:
(1) Review a proposed petition for proper drafting; and
(2) Provide information regarding the effects of the adoption of any proposed petition.
[ 1996 c 230 s 103; 1979 c 35 s 3. Formerly RCW 56.02.110.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Board of commissioners may notify property owners about petitions—Review of petitions—Information.


title: RCW 57.02.030

text:
The rule of strict construction shall not apply to this title, which shall be liberally construed to carry out its purposes and objects.
[ 1996 c 230 s 104; 1959 c 108 s 19.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Title to be liberally construed.


title: RCW 57.02.040

text:
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the following proposed actions shall be approved as provided for in RCW 57.02.045:
(a) Formation or reorganization under chapter 57.04 RCW;
(b) Annexation of territory under chapter 57.24 RCW;
(c) Withdrawal of territory under chapter 57.28 RCW;
(d) Transfer of territory under RCW 57.32.160;
(e) Consolidation under chapter 57.32 RCW; and
(f) Merger under chapter 57.36 RCW.
(2) At least one of the districts involved shall give notice of the proposed action to the county legislative authority, state department of ecology, and state department of health. The county legislative authority shall within thirty days of receiving notice of the proposed action approve the action or hold a hearing on the action.
(3) The county legislative authority shall decide within sixty days of a hearing whether to approve or not approve the proposed action. In approving or not approving the proposed action, the county legislative authority shall consider the following criteria:
(a) Whether the proposed action in the area under consideration is in compliance with the development program that is outlined in the county comprehensive plan, or city or town comprehensive plan where appropriate, and its supporting documents;
(b) Whether the proposed action in the area under consideration is in compliance with the basin-wide water and/or sewage plan as approved by the state department of ecology and the state department of social and health services; and
(c) Whether the proposed action is in compliance with the policies expressed in the county plan for water and/or sewage facilities.
(4) If the proposed action is inconsistent with subsection (3)(a), (b), or (c) of this section, the county legislative authority shall not approve it. If the proposed action is consistent with subsection (3)(a), (b), and (c) of this section, the county legislative authority shall approve it unless it finds that water or sewer service in the area under consideration will be most appropriately served by the county itself under the provisions of chapter 36.94 RCW, or by another district, city, town, or municipality. If there has not been adopted for the area under consideration a plan or program under subsection (3)(a), (b), or (c) of this section, the proposed action shall not be found inconsistent with such subsection.
(5) Where a district is proposed to be formed, and where no boundary review board is established in the county, the petition described in RCW 57.04.030 shall serve as the notice of proposed action under this section, and the hearing provided for in RCW 57.04.030 shall serve as the hearing provided for in this section and in RCW 57.02.045.
[ 1996 c 230 s 105; 1988 c 162 s 7; 1971 ex.s. c 139 s 2.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
1988 validation: RCW 57.06.180.

catchline: Water-sewer district activities to be approved—Criteria for approval by county legislative authority.


title: RCW 57.02.045

text:
In any county where a boundary review board, as provided in chapter 36.93 RCW, is not established, the approval of the proposed action shall be by the county legislative authority pursuant to RCW 57.02.040 and shall be final, and the procedures required to adopt such proposed action shall be followed as provided by law.
In any county where a boundary review board, as provided in chapter 36.93 RCW, is established, a notice of intention of the proposed action shall be filed with the boundary review board as required by RCW 36.93.090 and with the county legislative authority. The county legislative authority shall transmit to the boundary review board a report of its approval or disapproval of the proposed action together with its findings and recommendations under RCW 57.02.040. Approval by the county legislative authority of the proposed action shall be final and the procedures required to adopt the proposal shall be followed as provided by law, unless the boundary review board reviews the action under RCW 36.93.100 through 36.93.180. If the county legislative authority does not approve the proposed action, the boundary review board shall review the action under RCW 36.93.150 through 36.93.180. The action of the boundary review board shall supersede approval or disapproval by the county legislative authority.
Where a district is proposed to be formed, and where no boundary review board is established in the county, the hearings provided for in RCW 57.04.030 shall serve as the hearing provided for in this section and in RCW 57.02.040.
[ 1996 c 230 s 106; 1988 c 162 s 6; 1971 ex.s. c 139 s 3. Formerly RCW 56.02.070.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
1988 validation: RCW 57.06.180.

catchline: Approval by county legislative authority final, when—Boundary review board approval.


title: RCW 57.02.050

text:
Whenever the boundaries or proposed boundaries of a district include or are proposed to include by means of formation, annexation, transfer, withdrawal, consolidation, or merger, territory in more than one county:
(1) All duties delegated by this title to officers of the county in which the district is located shall be delegated to the officers of the county in which the largest land area of the district is located, except that elections shall be conducted pursuant to general election law;
(2) Actions subject to review and approval under RCW 57.02.040 shall be reviewed and approved only by the officers or boundary review board in the county in which such actions are proposed to occur;
(3) Verification of voters' signatures shall be conducted by the county auditor of the county in which such signators reside; and
(4) Comprehensive plan review and approval or rejection by the respective county legislative authorities under RCW 57.16.010 shall be limited to that part of such plans within the respective counties.
[ 1996 c 230 s 108; 1994 c 223 s 66; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 5.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Multicounty districts—Delegation of duties—Exceptions.


title: RCW 57.02.070

text:
All actions taken in regard to the formation, annexation, consolidation, or merger of water districts taken prior to July 10, 1982, but consistent with this title, as amended, are hereby approved and ratified and shall be legal for all purposes.
[ 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 7.]

catchline: Ratification of actions for the formation, annexation, consolidation, or merger of water districts prior to July 10, 1982.


title: RCW 57.02.080

text:
The procedures and provisions of RCW 85.08.830 through 85.08.890, which are applicable to drainage improvement districts, joint drainage improvement districts, or consolidated drainage improvement districts that desire to merge into irrigation districts, shall also apply to districts organized, or reorganized, under this title that desire to merge into irrigation districts.
The authority granted by this section shall be cumulative and in addition to any other power or authority granted by law to any district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 107; 1977 ex.s. c 208 s 3. Formerly RCW 56.02.100.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
Merger of irrigation district with drainage, joint drainage, consolidated drainage improvement, or water-sewer district: RCW 87.03.720, 87.03.725.

catchline: Water-sewer districts desiring to merge into irrigation districts—Procedure.


title: RCW 57.02.090

text:
Elections in a district shall be conducted under general election laws.
[ 1996 c 230 s 109.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Elections.


title: RCW 57.02.100

text:
(1) A water-sewer district may not prohibit the use of multipurpose fire sprinkler systems that are part of a structure's plumbing system for single-family homes and townhouses as defined by the state residential building code or require a separate water meter or backflow preventer for the multipurpose fire sprinkler system.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "multipurpose fire sprinkler system" means a fire sprinkler system that:
(a) Is supplied only by the purveyor's water;
(b) Does not have a fire department pumper connection;
(c) Is constructed of approved potable water piping and materials to which sprinkler heads are attached; and
(d) Terminates at a connection to a toilet or other plumbing fixture to prevent stagnant water.
[ 2016 sp.s. c 14 s 1.]

catchline: Single-family homes and townhouses—Multipurpose fire sprinkler systems.


title: RCW 57.04.001

text:
Actions taken under this chapter may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1996 c 230 s 201; 1989 c 84 s 56.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Actions subject to review by boundary review board.


title: RCW 57.04.020

text:
Water-sewer districts are authorized to be established for the purposes of chapter 57.08 RCW. Such districts may include within their boundaries one or more counties, cities, and towns, or other political subdivisions. However, no portion or all of any city or town may be included without the consent by resolution of the city or town legislative authority.
[ 1996 c 230 s 202; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 9; 1929 c 114 s 1; RRS s 11579. Cf. 1913 c 161 s 1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Districts authorized.


title: RCW 57.04.030

text:
(1) For the purpose of formation of water-sewer districts, a petition shall be presented to the county legislative authority of each county in which the proposed district is located. The petition shall set forth the reasons for the creation of the district, designate the boundaries of the district, and state that establishment of the district will be conducive to the public health, convenience, and welfare and will be of benefit to the property included in the district. The petition shall state the proposed name of the district, which may be ". . . . . . . Sewer-Water [Water-Sewer] District," ". . . . . . . Water District," ". . . . . . . Sewer District," or may be designated by a number such as ". . . . . . . . County Water-Sewer District No. . . .." The petition shall specify the proposed property tax levy assessment, if any, which shall not exceed one dollar and twenty-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, for general preliminary expenses of the district. The petition shall be signed by at least ten percent of the registered voters who voted in the last municipal general election, who shall be qualified voters on the date of filing the petition, residing within the district described in the petition.
The petition shall be filed with the county auditor of the county in which all or the largest geographic portion of the proposed district is located, who shall within ten days examine and verify the signatures on the petition. No person having signed such a petition shall be allowed to withdraw the person's name from the petition after the filing of the petition with the county auditor. If the area proposed to be included in the district is located in more than one county, the auditor of the county in which the largest geographic portion of the district is located shall be the lead auditor and shall immediately transfer a copy of the petitions to the auditor of each other county in which the proposed district is located. Within ten days after the lead auditor received the petition, the auditors of these other counties shall certify to the lead auditor: (a) The number of voters of that county residing in the proposed district who voted at the last municipal general election; and (b) the number of valid signatures on the petition of voters of that county residing in the proposed district. The lead auditor shall certify the sufficiency of the petition after receiving this information. If the petition shall be found to contain a sufficient number of signatures, the county auditor or lead county auditor shall then transmit it, together with a certificate of sufficiency attached thereto to the county legislative authority of each county in which the proposed district is located.
(2) If in the opinion of the county health officer the existing water, sewerage, or drainage facilities are inadequate in the district to be created, and creation of the district is necessary for public health and safety, then the legislative authority of the county may declare by resolution that a water-sewer district is a public health and safety necessity, and the district shall be organized under this title, without a petition being required.
(3) Following receipt of a petition certified to contain a sufficient number of signatures, or upon declaring a district to be a public health and safety necessity, at a regular or special meeting the county legislative authority shall cause to be published once a week for at least two weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the proposed district, a notice that such a petition has been presented, stating the time of the meeting at which the petition shall be considered, and setting forth the boundaries of the proposed district. When a petition is presented for hearing, each county legislative authority shall hear the petition or may adjourn the hearing from time to time not exceeding one month in all. Any person, firm, or corporation may appear before the county legislative authority and make objections to the establishment of the district or the proposed boundary lines thereof. Upon a final hearing each county legislative authority shall make such changes in the proposed boundary lines within the county as it deems to be proper and shall establish and define the boundaries and shall find whether the proposed district will be conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience and be of special benefit to the land included within the boundaries of the proposed district. No lands that will not, in the judgment of the county legislative authority, be benefited by inclusion therein, shall be included within the boundaries of the district. No change shall be made by the county legislative authority in the boundary lines to include any territory outside of the boundaries described in the petition, except that the boundaries of any proposed district may be extended by the county legislative authority to include other lands in the county upon a petition signed by the owners of all of the land within the proposed extension.
[ 1996 c 230 s 203; 1990 c 259 s 27; 1987 c 33 s 3; 1985 c 469 s 58; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 10; 1931 c 72 s 3; 1929 c 114 s 2; RRS s 11580. Cf. 1915 c 24 s 1; 1913 c 161 s 2. Formerly RCW 57.04.030 and 57.04.040.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Petition procedure—Hearing—Boundaries.


title: RCW 57.04.050

text:
Upon entry of the findings of the final hearing on the petition if one or more county legislative authorities find that the proposed district will be conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience and will benefit the land therein, they shall present a resolution to the county auditor calling for a special election to be held at a date according to RCW 29A.04.330, at which a ballot proposition authorizing the district to be created shall be submitted to voters for their approval or rejection. The commissioners shall cause to be published a notice of the election for four successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the proposed district, which notice shall state the hours during which the polls will be open, the boundaries of the district as finally adopted and the object of the election, and the notice shall also be posted ten days in ten public places in the proposed district. The district shall be created if the ballot proposition authorizing the district to be created is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the proposition.
A separate ballot proposition authorizing the district, if created, to impose a single-year excess levy for the preliminary expenses of the district shall be submitted to voters for their approval or rejection at the same special election, if the petition to create the district also proposed that a ballot proposition authorizing an excess levy be submitted to voters for their approval or rejection. The excess levy shall be proposed in the amount specified in the petition to create the district, not to exceed one dollar and twenty-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, and may only be submitted to voters for their approval or rejection if the special election is held in February, March, April, or May. The proposition to be effective must be approved in the manner set forth in Article VII, section 2(a) of the state Constitution.
[ 2006 c 344 s 38; 1999 c 153 s 1; 1996 c 230 s 204; 1994 c 292 s 2; 1990 c 259 s 28; 1987 c 33 s 4; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 11; 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 s 67; 1953 c 251 s 1; 1931 c 72 s 4; 1929 c 114 s 3; RRS s 11581. Cf. 1927 c 230 s 1; 1915 c 24 s 2; 1913 c 161 s 3.]
Notes:
Effective date—2006 c 344 ss 1-16 and 18-40: See note following RCW 29A.04.311.
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: "Part headings as used in this act do not constitute any part of the law." [ 1999 c 153 s 77.]
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
Findings—Intent—1994 c 292: "The legislature finds that the monitoring and treatment requirements of the federal safe drinking water act place increasing burdens and cost on public water supply systems, especially smaller systems and rural systems. Across the state, those systems are turning to existing systems and their county governments for help, which may include assumption of the system.
It is the intent of the legislature to encourage larger existing systems to assist or acquire troubled systems or those systems burdened by federal requirements, to provide financial protection for that assistance, and to protect receivers of failed water systems." [ 1994 c 292 s 1.]
Severability—Effective dates and termination dates—Construction—1973 1st ex.s. c 195: See notes following RCW 84.52.043.

catchline: Election—Notice—Excess tax levy.


title: RCW 57.04.055

text:
All elections held pursuant to this title, whether general or special, shall be conducted by the county auditor of the county in which the district is located. Except as provided in RCW 57.04.060, the expense of all such elections shall be paid for out of the funds of the district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 208; 1941 c 210 s 40; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 9425-49. Formerly RCW 56.04.080.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: County auditor to conduct elections—Expenses.


title: RCW 57.04.060

text:
If at the election a majority of the voters voting upon the proposition vote in favor of the formation of the district the county legislative authority shall so declare in its canvass of the returns of the election to be made within ten days after the date of the election, and the district shall then be and become a municipal corporation of the state of Washington, and the name of the district shall be the name of the district as provided in the petition and the ballot.
The county's expenses incurred in the formation of the district, including the election costs associated with the ballot proposition authorizing the district, election of the initial commissioners under RCW 57.12.030, and the ballot proposition authorizing the excess levy, shall be repaid to the county if the district is formed.
[ 1996 c 230 s 205; 1929 c 114 s 5; RRS s 11583. Cf. 1913 c 161 s 5.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.


title: RCW 57.04.065

text:
Any district may apply to change its name by filing with the county legislative authority in which was filed the original petition for organization of the district, a certified copy of a resolution of its board of commissioners adopted by majority vote of all of the members of that board at a regular meeting thereof providing for such change of name. After approval of the new name by the county legislative authority, all proceedings for the district shall be had under the changed name, but all existing obligations and contracts of the district entered into under its former name shall remain outstanding without change and with the validity thereof unimpaired and unaffected by such change of name. A change of name heretofore made by any existing district in this state, substantially in the manner approved under this section, is ratified, confirmed, and validated.
[ 1996 c 230 s 206; 1984 c 147 s 7.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Change of name—Procedure—Effect.


title: RCW 57.04.070

text:
Whenever two or more petitions for the formation of a district shall be filed as provided in this chapter, the petition describing the greater area shall supersede all others and an election shall first be held thereunder, and no lesser district shall ever be created within the limits in whole or in part of any district, except as provided in RCW 36.94.420.
[ 1996 c 230 s 207; 1985 c 141 s 6; 1981 c 45 s 9; 1929 c 114 s 4; RRS s 11582. Cf. 1913 c 161 s 4.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
Legislative declaration—"District" defined—Severability—1981 c 45: See notes following RCW 36.93.090.

catchline: When two or more petitions filed.


title: RCW 57.04.080

text:
*This act shall not be construed to repeal, amend, or modify any law heretofore enacted providing a method for water supply for any city or town in this state, but shall be held to be an additional and concurrent method providing for such purpose. Nor shall this act be construed to repeal **chapter 161 of the Laws of 1913, pages 533 to 552, or amendments thereto.
[ 1929 c 114 s 24; RRS s 11601.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: *(1) The language "this act" appeared in 1929 c 114, the basic water district law, which is codified as follows: RCW 57.04.020, 57.04.030, 57.04.050 through 57.04.080, 57.04.100, 57.08.010, 57.08.050, 57.12.010, 57.12.020, 57.12.030, 57.16.010, 57.16.020, 57.16.030, 57.16.040, 57.16.050, 57.16.060, 57.16.070, 57.16.080 through 57.16.100, 57.20.010, 57.20.100 through 57.20.140, 57.24.010, 57.24.020, 57.24.040, and 57.24.050.
**(2) As to the reference "chapter 161 of the Laws of 1913," see note following RCW 57.06.010.

catchline: Act cumulative.


title: RCW 57.04.090

text: Dissolution of district, see chapters 36.96 and 53.48 RCW.

catchline: Dissolution—Legislative and court methods.


title: RCW 57.04.100

text:
Any district may be disincorporated in the same manner (insofar as the same is applicable) as is provided in RCW 35.07.010 through 35.07.220 for the disincorporation of cities and towns, except that the petition for disincorporation shall be signed by not less than twenty-five percent of the voters in the district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 209; 1994 c 81 s 80; 1929 c 114 s 25; 1917 c 147 s 1; RRS s 11602.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Dissolution—Election method.


title: RCW 57.04.110

text:
A district whose boundaries are identical with, or if the district is located entirely within, the boundaries of a city or town may be dissolved by summary dissolution proceedings if the district is free from all debts and liabilities except contractual obligations between the district and the city or town. Summary dissolution shall take place if the board of commissioners of the district votes unanimously to dissolve the district and to turn all of its property over to the city or town within which the district lies, and the council of such city or town unanimously passes an ordinance accepting the conveyance of the property and assets of the district tendered to the city or town by the district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 210; 1955 c 358 s 1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
Acceptance by town: RCW 35.92.012.

catchline: Dissolution when district's boundaries identical with municipality.


title: RCW 57.04.120

text:
(1) On and after March 16, 1979, any sewerage improvement districts created under Title 85 RCW and located in a county with a population of from forty thousand to less than seventy thousand shall become districts and shall be operated, maintained, and have the same powers as districts created under this title, upon being so ordered by the county legislative authority of the county in which such district is located after a hearing of which notice is given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the district and mailed to any known creditors, holders of contracts, and obligees at least thirty days prior to such hearing. After such hearing if the county legislative authority finds the converting of such district to be in the best interest of that district, it shall order that such sewer improvement district shall become a district and fix the date of such conversion. All debts, contracts, and obligations created while attempting to organize or operate a sewerage improvement district and all other financial obligations and powers of the district to satisfy such obligations established under Title 85 RCW are legal and valid until they are fully satisfied or discharged under Title 85 RCW.
(2) The board of supervisors of a sewerage improvement district in a county with a population of from forty thousand to less than seventy thousand shall act as the board of commissioners of the district under subsection (1) of this section until other members of the board of commissioners of the district are elected and qualified. There shall be an election on the same date as the 1979 state general election and the seats of all three members of the governing authority of every entity which was previously known as a sewerage improvement district in a county with a population of from forty thousand to less than seventy thousand shall be up for election. The election shall be held in the manner provided for in RCW 57.12.030 for the election of the first board of commissioners of a district. Thereafter, the terms of office of the members of the governing body shall be determined under RCW 57.12.030.
[ 1996 c 230 s 211; 1991 c 363 s 136; 1979 c 35 s 1. Formerly RCW 56.04.120.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.

catchline: Sewerage improvement districts located in counties with populations of from forty thousand to less than seventy thousand become sewer districts.


title: RCW 57.04.130

text:
Any sewerage improvement district which has been operating as a sewer district shall be a district under this title as of March 16, 1979, upon being so ordered by the county legislative authority of the county in which such district is located after a hearing of which notice is given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the district and mailed to any known creditors, holders of contracts, and obligees at least thirty days prior to such hearing. After such hearing if the county legislative authority finds that the sewerage improvement district was operating as a district and that the converting of such district will be in the best interest of that district, it shall order that such sewer improvement district shall become a district immediately upon the passage of the resolution containing such order. The debts, contracts, and obligations of any sewerage improvement district which has been erroneously operating as a district are recognized as legal and binding. The members of the government authority of any sewerage improvement district which has been operating as a district and who were erroneously elected as sewer district commissioners shall be recognized as the governing authority of a district. The members of the governing authority shall continue in office for the term for which they were elected.
[ 1996 c 230 s 212; 1979 c 35 s 2. Formerly RCW 56.04.130.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Sewerage improvement districts operating as sewer districts become water-sewer districts—Procedure.


title: RCW 57.04.140

text:
(1) As an alternative means to forming a water-sewer district, a county legislative authority may authorize the formation of a water-sewer district to serve a new development that at the time of formation does not have any residents, at written request of sixty percent of the owners of the area to be included in the proposed district. The county legislative authority shall review the proposed district according to the procedures and criteria in RCW 57.02.040.
(2) The county legislative authority shall appoint the initial water-sewer commissioners of the district. The commissioners shall serve until seventy-five percent of the development is sold and occupied, or until some other time as specified by the county legislative authority when the district is approved. Commissioners serving under this section are not entitled to any form of compensation from the district.
(3) New commissioners shall be elected according to the procedures in chapter 57.12 RCW at the next election held under RCW 29A.04.321 that follows more than ninety days after the date seventy-five percent of the development is sold and occupied, or after the time specified by the county legislative authority when the district is approved.
(4) A water-sewer district created under this section may be transferred to a city or county, or dissolved if the district is inactive, by order of the county legislative authority at the written request of sixty percent of the owners of the area included in the district.
[ 2015 c 53 s 87; 1997 c 447 s 4.]
Notes:
Finding—Purpose—Construction—1997 c 447: See notes following RCW 70.05.074.


title: RCW 57.06.010

text:
In case an attempt has been made to organize a water district not containing within its boundaries any incorporated city or town, and either through inadvertence or mistake the election for the organization of the district was held more than thirty days from the date of such certificate of the county auditor but less than sixty days from such date, such proceedings shall not be deemed invalid by reason thereof, and in case all other proceedings in connection with the organization of any such water district were regular, such proceedings are hereby validated and all bonds and warrants issued or to be issued by any such water district are hereby declared to be valid.
[ 1927 c 230 s 2; RRS s 11581-1.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: This section appeared in an act the first section of which amended RRS s 11581 which compiled 1913 c 161 s 3 as amended. 1913 c 161 was declared unconstitutional in Drum v. Univ. Place Water Dist., 144 Wash. 585, 258 P. 505 (1927). The current basic water district act codified in this title is 1929 c 114.

catchline: 1927 validation.


title: RCW 57.06.020

text:
Each and all of the respective areas of land heretofore organized or attempted to be organized or incorporated under *chapter 161 of the Laws of 1913, and amendments thereto, are each hereby declared to be and created into duly existing water districts having the respective boundaries set forth in their respective organization proceedings as shown in the files and records of the office of the board of county commissioners of the county in which said organization, or attempted organization is located. The water districts validated or created by this act shall have the same rights, liabilities, duties and obligations as water districts created under chapter 114 of the Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto: PROVIDED, That the provisions of this act shall apply only to those water districts which have maintained their organization as water districts since the date of their attempted incorporation or establishment: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That nothing herein contained shall be deemed to validate the debts, contracts, bonds or other obligations executed prior to this act in connection with or in pursuance of such attempted organization, and all taxes or assessments shall hereafter be levied in accordance with the act of 1929, chapter 114, approved March 13, 1929.
[ 1931 c 71 s 1; RRS s 11604.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: The language "chapter 161 of the Laws of 1913" appears in 1931 c 71 s 1. See note following RCW 57.06.010.

catchline: 1931 validation.


title: RCW 57.06.030

text:
Each and all of the respective areas of land heretofore attempted to be organized into water districts or into local improvement districts or utility local improvement districts under the provisions of chapter 114 of the Laws of 1929 and amendments thereto, are hereby validated and declared to be duly existing water districts, or local improvement districts, or utility local improvement districts, as the case may be, having the respective boundaries set forth in their organization proceedings as shown by the files in the office of the board of county commissioners of the county in question and of such water districts.
[ 1943 c 177 s 1; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 11604-13.]

catchline: 1943 validation.


title: RCW 57.06.040

text:
All debts, contracts, and obligations heretofore made or incurred by or in favor of any such water district, local improvement district, or utility local improvement district, and all bonds or other obligations executed by such districts in connection with or in pursuance of such attempted organization, and any and all assessments or levies, and all other things and proceedings done or taken by such districts or by their respective officers acting under or in pursuance of such attempted organization, are hereby declared legal and valid and of full force and effect.
[ 1943 c 177 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 11604-14.]


title: RCW 57.06.050

text:
The provisions of the act shall apply only to such districts attempted to be organized under chapter 114 of the Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto, which have maintained their organization as such since the date of such attempted organization, establishment, or creation.
[ 1943 c 177 s 3; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 11604-15.]


title: RCW 57.06.060

text:
Each and all of the respective areas of land heretofore attempted to be organized into water districts or into local improvement districts or utility local improvement districts under the provisions of Pierce's Perpetual Code 994-1 to -53, chapter 114, Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto (sections 11579 to 11604, Remington's Revised Statutes), are hereby validated and declared to be duly existing water districts, or local improvement districts, or utility local improvement districts, as the case may be, having the respective boundaries set forth in their organization proceedings as shown by the files in the office of the board of county commissioners of the county in question and of such water districts.
[ 1945 c 40 s 1; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 11604-17.]

catchline: 1945 validation.


title: RCW 57.06.070

text:
All debts, contracts, and obligations heretofore made or incurred by or in favor of any such water district, local improvement district, or utility local improvement district, and all bonds or other obligations executed by such districts in connection with or in pursuance of such attempted organization, and any and all assessments or levies, and all other things and proceedings done or taken by such districts or by their respective officers acting under or in pursuance of such attempted organization, are hereby declared legal and valid and of full force and effect.
[ 1945 c 40 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 11604-18.]


title: RCW 57.06.080

text:
The provisions of this act shall apply only to such districts attempted to be organized under Pierce's Perpetual Code 994-1 to 53, chapter 114, Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto (sections 11579 to 11604, Remington's Revised Statutes), which have maintained their organization as such since the date of such attempted organization, establishment, or creation.
[ 1945 c 40 s 3; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 11604-19.]


title: RCW 57.06.090

text:
Each and all of the respective areas of land heretofore attempted to be organized into water districts, including all areas attempted to be annexed thereto, or into local improvement districts or utility local improvement districts, under the provisions of chapter 114, Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto, are hereby validated and declared to be duly existing water districts, or local improvement districts, or utility local improvement districts, as the case may be, having the respective boundaries set forth in their organization and annexation proceedings as shown by the files in the office of the board of county commissioners of the county in question and of such water districts.
[ 1953 c 251 s 25.]

catchline: 1953 validation.


title: RCW 57.06.100

text:
All debts, contracts, and obligations heretofore made or incurred by or in favor of any such water district, local improvement district, or utility local improvement district, and all bonds or other obligations executed by such districts in connection with or in pursuance of such attempted organization, and any and all assessments or levies, and all other things and proceedings done or taken by such districts or by their respective officers acting under or in pursuance of such attempted organization, are hereby declared legal and valid and of full force and effect.
[ 1953 c 251 s 26.]


title: RCW 57.06.110

text:
The provisions of this act shall apply only to such districts attempted to be organized under chapter 114, Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto, which have maintained their organization as such since the date of such attempted organization, establishment, or creation.
[ 1953 c 251 s 27.]


title: RCW 57.06.120

text:
All debts, contracts and obligations heretofore made or incurred by or in favor of any water district and all bonds, warrants, or other obligations issued by such district, and all charges heretofore made by such districts, and any and all assessments heretofore levied in any local improvement districts or utility local improvement districts of any water district, and all other things and proceedings relating thereto done or taken by such water districts or by their respective officers are hereby declared to be legal and valid and of full force and effect from the date thereof: PROVIDED, That nothing in this section shall apply to ultra vires acts or acts of fraud committed by the officers or agents of said district.
[ 1959 c 108 s 18.]

catchline: 1959 validation.


title: RCW 57.06.140

text:
Each and all of the respective areas of land heretofore attempted to be organized into water districts under the provisions of chapter 114, Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto, are hereby validated and declared to be duly existing water districts, having the respective boundaries set forth in their organization proceedings as shown by the files in the office of the board of county commissioners of the county in question and of such water districts.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 s 15.]

catchline: 1975 validation.


title: RCW 57.06.150

text:
All debts, contracts, and obligations heretofore made or incurred by or in favor of any such water district, and all bonds or other obligations executed by such districts in connection with or in pursuance of such attempted organization, and any and all assessments or levies, and all other things and proceedings done or taken by such districts or by their respective officers, including by persons acting as commissioners nominated by petition of at least twenty-five percent of the qualified electors of the district, and elected and qualified as otherwise provided by law, acting under or in pursuance of such attempted organization, are hereby declared legal and valid and of full force and effect.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 s 16.]


title: RCW 57.06.160

text:
The holding and exercise of the office of commissioner by persons now serving as members of the first board of commissioners under or in pursuance of such attempted organization, nominated by petition of at least twenty-five percent of the qualified electors of the district, and elected and qualified as otherwise provided by law, is hereby declared legal and valid and of full force and effect.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 s 17.]


title: RCW 57.06.170

text:
RCW 57.06.140 through 57.06.160 shall apply only to such districts attempted to be organized under chapter 114, Laws of 1929, and amendments thereto, which have maintained their organization as such since the date of such attempted organization, establishment, or creation, or which have been merged into another municipal corporation.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 s 18.]