HB 1737, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Kraft (R–Vancouver), would prohibit a city from requiring the owner of a property located outside its limits to enter into a utility service annexation covenant as a condition of extending utilities to the property. The bill clarifies the city is not obligated to extend utilities outside its boundaries. The bill also does not appear to prohibit an annexation covenant if the landowner consents.

We know that this is an important means of annexation in some cities. For those cities, we would appreciate some examples of how it has been helpful where other annexation methods would not have worked.

Dates to remember

HB 1737 will be heard Friday, February 15 at 10 am in the House Local Government Committee.