by
<a href="mailto:davec@awcnet.org">Dave Catterson</a> | Jan 20, 2018
Identical bills, commonly referred to as “companions” have been introduced in the House and Senate and both will get a public hearing next week.
Identical bills, commonly referred to as “companions” have been introduced in the House and Senate and both will get a public hearing next week. HB 2665 sponsored by Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle) will be heard in the House Local Government Committee at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 23. In the Senate, SB 6312, sponsored by Sen. Sam Hunt (D-Olympia) will be heard in the Senate Local Government Committee at 1:30 pm on the same day, January 23.
These bills would simplify the process for annexing unincorporated areas that are at least 80 percent surrounded by a city within a single county and urban growth area (i.e. unincorporated islands). This is done by removing the referendum provision of current law which can trigger a public vote on island annexations and the authority for Boundary Review Boards to review island annexations.
AWC will be expressing our support for these bills.