Legislative Bulletin Bill Room (360) 786-7573 Legislative Hot Line 1-800-562-6000 February 18, 2000 http://www.wacounties.org Bulletin #6 WASHINGTON COUNTIES SCHOLARSHIPS! Post those flyers and pass out the applications! The application process for 2000 Washington Counties Scholarship Fund awards continues and applications have been mailed to every county office. This year five $1500 awards will be made to children of county employees who will be enrolled full-time during the 2000/01 school year in a baccalaureate program, associate degree program, or vocational/technical certification program. Dependents of county officials and employees have until April 3, 2000 to apply. For information or applications, call (360) 753-7319 or (360) 753-1886. The Washington Counties' Scholarship Fund is a joint project of WACO and WSAC. Please feel free to copy the application and encourage eligible students to apply! ************************************** HOUSE REPUBLICANS INCREASE FUNDING FOR MVET LOSS Early this morning Representative Tom Huff briefed local government associations on the details of the House Republican package to provide funding for the loss of MVET funds from passage of I-695. Later in the morning he will hold a public briefing with the full details. The Legislative Bulletin was published before that meeting. They propose spending $181 in the 99-01 biennium and $293 million in the 01-03 biennium. Of these amounts the cities would get 59% and the counties 41%. In addition they propose that the funding be permanent and not one-time. For counties they propose replacing 65% of the lost funds, or $41.6 million to replace criminal justice funds and sales tax equalization. They also propose replacing 90% of the loss for public health and that a portion of that loss would come from the tobacco prevention and control funds. In the area of transportation, they will propose a funding package, which will provide enough funds to bond $1.3 billion for highway projects. Before passage of I-695 the state had planned to bond $1.9 billion for projects. For transit they will fund $50 million one-time and replace the liability for the loss of $50 million for the final collection of the last quarter of 1999. Finally, there will be funds set aside for ferries, but it was not revealed how much that would be. It is rumored that the House Democrats will release their budget next Tuesday, February 22nd. If the house is to get a budget passed they will need to reconcile the differences between the two budgets. Certainly one of the more controversial aspects of the Republican budget will be the use of tobacco prevention and control dollars. What counties will like is that it offers on-going funding and it provides 90% of the loss in public health and 65-70% for sales tax equalization and criminal justice funds. When compared to the Governor's budget this proposal provides more funding on a permanent basis. For counties the Governor's budget has offered a total of $85 million for replacement funds, which includes $34 million for Public Health on a permanent basis and $51 million one- time only for criminal justice. There was $32 million set aside for sales tax equalization to any jurisdiction, which lost over 10% of their revenues. According to the Governor's formula only Garfield and Columbia counties would have benefited from this pot of money. Yesterday the Senate Ways & Means Committee formally heard the Governor's supplemental budget bill in one of the more lackluster hearings held on a budget. Over half of the committee didn't attend the committee hearing and while several people commented on various sections of the budget, many seemed to be commenting on issues that they hope would be addressed in an as-yet-to-be-released Senate version of the budget. The Association reminded the committee of our previous testimony on the impacts to counties with the loss of MVET resulting from the passage of I-695. If the House Republicans and Democrats can agree on a budget and send it to the Senate, they will certainly modify it significantly. If the House doesn't have a budget by February 28th, the 50th day of the session, then the Senate is likely to release their budget. ************************************** CUTOFFS Bills that had not been passed out of their house of origin died with the cutoff on Tuesday. Bills must be heard in the opposite house by Friday, February 25, except those in House fiscal committees, Senate Ways and Means, and Transportation Committees, which have until Monday, February 28. With adjournment set for March 9, opposite house bills must pass by March 3. The last week will be spent on initiatives, amendments, and differences between the houses. ************************************** PROPERTY TAX ADVISORY - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE (DOR) I-695/CLARIFICATION Attached to this mailing is a copy of a Property Tax Advisory issued by DOR. This advisory deals with questions on how I-695 affects future property tax levies. The first question is whether the road levy shift requires a public vote. The answer given by DOR is that it does. The second question deals with a taxing district that lowers its levy rate in a "buy-down" and then later wants to raise the levy back to where it was. Does that increase back to the previous level require a vote? DOR's answer is, "Probably not." Probably the most significant question asked is whether taxing districts will be allowed to increase their levies as is currently allowed for new construction without a vote by the public. The answer to that question is, "yes." Please review the attached sheet because it gives some analysis and rational reasons for their decisions. Keep in mind that, even though these are the DOR's opinions, based upon a review by their attorney generals, etc., that does not mean that the courts would rule the same if any of these questions were to placed before them. However, this is the best information we have for now. ************************************** COUNTIES LEAD RALLY TO SAVE FERRIES County Commissioners from Kitsap and San Juan County, with support from King, Pierce, Snohomish, Island, Jefferson Clallam and Mason held a rally on the steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia on Feb 11th. Over 400 people attended and at least 15-20 legislators addressed the gathering. There were 12 commissioners present. The theme was that the ferries are their highways and that they need to be funded without putting all of the solution into fare increases. Several legislators pledged they would not vote for a transportation budget that did not adequately fund ferries eliciting a pained expression from House Transportation Co-chair, Ruth Fisher. While we are still waiting for a transportation budget to be made public, the pressure is mounting to take care of ferries while also addressing the needs of transit and specific transportation projects. ************************************** ENVIRONMENT, LAND USE & RESOURCES ************************************** HOUSE APPROVES BILLS TO BENEFIT SALMON RESTORATION EFFORTS AND PRIVATE WATER RIGHTS HOLDERS The House of Representatives has approved four bills that will assist in the state's salmon recovery efforts and protect private water rights in light of endangered species act listings. ESHB 2994 modifies the state's trust water rights program as they relate to instream flows for threatened and endangered fish. SHB 2406 expands and clarifies language relating to habitat projects and activities currently funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. ESHB 2589 also relates to projects funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. It clarifies that the Board may provide a grant or loan for habitat projects on private land even where the private landowner is legally obligated to pay for improvements. A topic of debate before the Board this past spring, it was felt that allowing such projects to be funded would expedite measures designed to improve fish habitat where cost might otherwise delay implementation. The last bill, SHB 2614 protects individuals from permanently losing water rights due to federal restrictions designed to protect and restore salmon. ************************************** GMA AND SMA TIMELINES REVISIONS MOVE FORWARD The GMA legislation which delays the time frame for revision of comprehensive plans based on Census 2000 population forecasts, SB 6446, became a Christmas tree of amendments on the Senate floor and now includes timelines for updates of shoreline management master programs as well. Engrossed Senate Bill 6446 is scheduled for hearing in House Local Government on Monday, February 21 at 1:30 p.m. The underlying bill says that needed revisions to comprehensive plans must be completed by September 1, 2003, a year later than current law. ESB 6446 also clarifies that any critical areas ordinances which do not include "best available science" be revised by September 1, 2002. The shorelines amendment to the bill requires Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties and the cities within them to revise shoreline master programs within three years of Ecology's rule adoption. Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Cowlitz, Jefferson, Mason, Skagit, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima and would have four years to adopt revisions and the remainder of counties five. Expect further changes to this part of the bill in the House. Other shorelines bills are dead or on life support. Still hanging on is SHB 2391 which delays implementation of new rules until a Joint Task Force on Shoreline Planning makes recommendations for shoreline legislation and policy. Still alive is Substitute SB 6643, which amends the GMA population threshold so that the prison population in the new state corrections facility does not require Grays Harbor County to plan under GMA. Also moving through the process are HB2561 and SSB 6432, companion bills to allow growth outside of urban growth areas designated as a national historic town, such as Port Gamble in Kitsap County. ESB 5816, authorizing short plats up to nine lots, received only supportive testimony earlier this week in a House Local Government hearing. EHB 2985 allows hearing examiners to make final decisions on plats. It was amended to allow counties, at their option, to exclude parcel creation for utility purposes from short plat requirements. ************************************** FOR NEW MANDATE: PROCESS PERMITS IN 120 DAYS OR GO TO COURT HOUSE VOTES The House sent Engrossed Substitute HB 2847 over to the Senate by a 71- 26 vote despite intensive lobbying by counties that the bill creates an unfunded mandate. The measure permanently places in statute the 120-day permit clock that was imposed in 1995 -- but eliminates the protection that counties and cities have from suit if that timeline is not met. The bill also allows a permit applicant to go to court to get a mandamus order compelling a permit decision from the court after 120 days. An amendment by prime sponsor Representative Joyce Mulliken (R-Grant County) expands the "stop-the clock" provision to include time-out for state and federal approvals. Another amendment by Representative Mark Doumit (D-Wahkiakum County) would nullify the addition of the mandamus writ authority if no funding is provided for its implementation. WSAC would appreciate hearing from counties about their success with the 120-day clock and why some permit decisions may not be made within the prescribed timelines. ************************************** HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES ************************************** INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET BILL CAUSES TRAIN WRECK When the Patient's Bill of Rights, HB 2331, passed out of both Committee and the full House, there were a number of speeches by members regarding the linkage between that bill and the individual health insurance market issue. Several indicated they would not continue to support the Patient's Bill of Rights unless a solution to the individual market was found. These speeches proved to be glimpses of the direction of the House Republican Caucus. On Wednesday, Rep. Parlette, Co-Chair, House Health Care Committee held a press conference to indicate that while the previously scheduled hearings in Committee for 8:30 AM on Thursday and Thursday evening would be held, that would be it. No further action would be taken on Senate bills and no future hearings would be scheduled. Rep. Parlette felt strongly that until negotiations on the individual market came together that any and all other health care-related action would be held. The Senate indicated they would not take similar action and would not hold House health care-related bills hostage to the negotiations on the individual market. The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee has a full agenda planned for the week of February 21 - 25. In addition, House leadership indicated that this may be an overall direction to their committee co-chairs and there was the chance that all legislation would grind to a halt in the House. At last word, the Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Deccio, had proposed a compromise individual market bill, SB 6067, which would come up for a vote by the full Senate shortly. Sen. Deccio's bill compromises on a 9- month pre-existing condition between the competing proposals of 6 months and 12 months. Certainly such a lock-up of legislation is worrisome as a number of agreed upon and worthy pieces of legislation are caught up including SB 5805, expanded prescriptive authority for ARNPs, SB 6502, enhanced training for long-term care workers, the youth access to tobacco bill, SB 5881, and of course the Senate version of the patient's bill of rights, SB 6199. ************************************** MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP HELD BY HOUSE HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE During the evening of February 17, the House Health Care Committee held a mental health workshop. The hearing was also attended by a number of members of the House Children and Family Services and Appropriations Committees. There was a large audience particularly members of the mental health parity coalition and interested parties to the threatened inpatient ward closure at St. Peter Hospital here in Olympia. The agenda included an update from the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Committee (JLARC) on their mental health system study, a RSN and system overview, comments from the Community Mental Health Council, and presentations on the threatened inpatient closure, mental health parity and a treatment alternative known as PACT or the Program for Assertive Community Treatment. WSAC staff member, Jean Wessman, and the state Mental Health Division Acting Director, Pat Terry covered the RSNs and the state system overview and appeared to receive a warm welcome from the committee members. There were lots of good and insightful questions from the members. Joanne Asaba, King County RSN, and Becky Kellas, Grays Harbor RSN, were both in the audience to provide moral support and technical assistance. Unfortunately, the Council President, Rick Weaver of Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health, saw fit to continue the pattern of depreciation of the RSNs and counties. Despite a lot of good comments about system achievements and the positive steps of the Mental Health Task Force, he apparently felt the members needed to again be told that there was excessive duplication of functions, too many administrative layers, excessive administrative costs that could be used for service, questionable reserve amounts, many system inefficiencies, and a lack of clarity in the roles and responsibilities of the different parties. He indicated that more uniformity was needed along with a quality management plan at the Mental Health Division. He said his people wasted 40% of their time completing unnecessary administrative tasks. He seemed to indicate that they deserve a statutorily mandated place at the table for all policy decisions. He suggested there needed to be greater partnerships with other systems statewide, less variation among RSNs especially in regards to benefit design. Rep. Cody asked him if he believed the RSNs should be gotten rid of. He indicated maybe not, but certainly one layer of administration should be removed. And that the $1 million for administration for the counties in Greater Columbia could be better spent on direct services. He neglected to mention that there are 11 counties in Greater Columbia equating to about $90,000 per county for administration not exactly an overwhelming amount and that in fact there was not a duplication of responsibilities between the RSN and the individual counties. He would seem to be advocating the removal of many of his own members in eastern Washington where the county coordinator and agency is also the community mental health center, i.e., Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Okanogan, Lincoln, Grant, Columbia, and Whitman just to name a few, should be aware of where their colleague appears to be heading on their behalf. WSAC will get copies of Mr. Weaver's hand-out along with the other hand- outs and forward them to all the RSNs and counties. The other presentations were outstanding especially the heartfelt stories from the parity coalition and the testimony from Mary Jadwisiak, Clark County Ombuds and Jonnie Hyde, Peace Health Clinical Director, from Clark County RSN regarding the PACT program both specifically in Clark and generally. Legislative staff has indicated the Committee may attempt to spend additional time during the interim on mental health in addition to the work from JLARC but any specificity is unknown at present. Overall it was an excellent opportunity for a number of members of the legislature to familiarize themselves with many of the issues and concerns confronting mental health. And all of the testimony was uniform when it came to the issue of the need for additional funding in the system especially for nonmedicaid populations. ************************************** TRANSPORTATION ************************************** GOVERNOR RESTRUCTURES TRANSPORTATION BUDGET PROPOSAL Governor Gary Locke this week announced several revisions to his proposed transportation budget. In total, his revised plan would add $525 million over three years for state and local highways and other transportation projects. The three-year plan will allow the Blue Ribbon Commission time to develop and present its recommendations to the 2001 Legislature for addressing transportation challenges over the long term. The revised transportation plan grew out of three main factors, state budget officials said: (1) the availability of $110 million of Puget Sound Regional Council federal funds to support state transportation projects; (2) a legal interpretation that revenue generated from the existing car rental tax may remain in transportation funds rather than revert to the general fund; and (3) the evolving consensus to use a limited amount of bonds for more immediate funding of construction and other projects. The governor released his updated proposal following adoption of a new state revenue forecast, which shows an increase of $115.5 million more for this biennium and 4.5 percent revenue growth for each of the following two fiscal years. ************************************** PASSENGER-ONLY FERRY BILL STILL AFLOAT The Senate this week passed a bill that would allow private operators to take over passenger-only ferry service after Initiative-695 cuts become effective later this year. The bill, SB6212, now heads for the House, where it faces an uncertain future. Rep. Maryann Mitchell, co-chair of the House Transportation Committee, said the state needs to study the issue more before making such a dramatic change in ferry operations. The Senate bill would create a task force to study a variety of ferry issues, but the bill's sponsors say the state needs to have alternatives in place if and when Washington State Ferries is forced to abandon passenger-only service. The ferry system currently plans to end passenger-only service this summer. ************************************** SENATE PASSES DAY LABOR BILL After heavy lobbying by small, rural counties, the Senate this week passed SB 6773, which would raise by 10 percent all day-labor limits for county road construction. The bill would primarily benefit rural counties by allowing more road projects to be constructed by county employees without a competitive bid process. The bill now faces committee hearings in the House. ************************************** OTHER LELGISLATIVE NEWS ************************************** JOINT TASK FORCE ON COUNTY FINANCES HB 2392 The Senate State and Local Government Committee heard HB 2392, this week and raised several questions about the size and make-up of the proposed membership of the task force. As it passed the House it proposed 32 members of whom 20 are legislators, 6 are local government, five are citizens of the state and one is from the Governor's office. Additionally, the non-legislative positions are non-voting. WAPA, WACO, WSAC and AWC all testified that there should be less on the committee and that the local government positions should be voting positions. The Committee indicated they would entertain our changes. As the bill came out of the House the tow year moratorium on rule- making had been amended to include language to require state agencies to examine the impacts of all proposed rules to determine if they will result in increased costs to local governments. It further modified the Administrative Procedures Act and incorporated an executive order of the Governor's issued two years ago streamlining the process. The Governor's office testified against this section of the bill. ************************************** PROPERTY TAX There are very few property tax bills left alive after the cutoff. Most of these are exemption bills of some sort. ************************************** LOW INCOME HOUSING Probably the bill (HB 2505 & SB 6157) with the biggest impact will be the expansion of the existing exemption program for low income housing. Currently it is restricted to cities larger than 100,000 and the bill drops that threshold down to 50,000. ************************************** AUTOMOBILES, CAMPERS, TRAVEL TRAILERS/PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION As of Wednesday morning, SHB 2309 and SHB 2336 both died for the session. This is a good sign, since that leaves the Senate bill, SSB 6115, alive and well in the House Finance Committee. Had the House gone ahead and passed either of their two bills, there could be a "stand off" situation-each house demanding that the other house pass their bill. Since the House chose not to run either of their bills, there was no opportunity for this stand off. Since the three bills are virtually identical, there should be no difficulty with this measure being passed out of the House Finance Committee once they schedule a hearing and act on bills. Next week's calendar for the House Finance Committee is unusual in one regard. They have only scheduled two bills for hearing and they are both House bills. What is significant is that the House Finance Committee has not scheduled a hearing on any of the Senate bills which have been referred to the committee. They do have an additional hearing scheduled for the following week.. But a "rule suspension" action can still be taken on the measure up to the very last minute of the session. This may be an indication the House is waiting for the Senate to act on some of the House bills prior to the House being willing to consider Senate bills. The Press has indicated that this strategy is being utilized by some of the other committees in the House. ************************************** REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS/COMMISSION SSB 5924 has passed the Senate and is now scheduled for hearing in the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. The measure replaces the old advisory committee which was part of the original real estate appraiser licensing bill, with a commission which would have broader authority for the oversight of this program. King County Assessor Scott Noble will offer an amendment to the bill in the House to ensure that one of the commission members will have a mass appraisal background. In short, either an assessor or someone who works for one of the county assessors. The assessors have had a member on the original committee from the time of its inception and have felt that having a person there providing input from a mass appraisal viewpoint has been helpful. ************************************** AG BURNING/PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION The Senate has passed ESB 6250 and the House has passed E2SHB 1987, both of which provide a sales tax exemption for the purposes of new equipment which will result in a reduction of agricultural burning. However, the bill also says that properties which qualify for the sales tax exemption will also receive a personal property exemption from property taxation for collections in 2001 through 2006. The Property Tax Exemption applies to properties which qualify under either Section 2 or Section 3 of the bill. Both Sections require that the property eligible must be used more than half the time in an activity that will result in less field burning or decreases air emissions. The Department of Revenue (DOR) indicates that there would be a state levy shift in this bill of $5,000, local property tax levies of $13,000. DOR has primary responsibility of the administration of the program and, assuming their fiscal note is correct, the impact of this is insignificant. Since the bills have passed both houses, it appears likely that at least one of these bills will pass this session. ************************************** INDIAN HOUSING AUTHORITIES/PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ESSB 2109 has passed the House and has been referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee. There is very little opposition. This measure is supported by the Governor's office, so the likelihood of its passing this session probably is greater than 50%. ************************************** EXEMPTION FOR COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS HB 2920 has passed the House again and gone to the Senate. This is the third year in a row this measure has passed the House. ************************************** LAKE CUSHMAN LEASEHOLD EXCISE TAX HB 2365 has passed the House and now is on the way to the Ways & Means Committee. This measure is specifically designed for the Lake Cushman properties with 99-year leases on the lots around Lake Cushman-some of them improved, some not. The bill basically says these individuals will pay property tax on their improvements and on the land that they lease, and those funds will be paid to Mason County and distributed the same as all other property taxes. The landowners are asking for this change, even though the property tax currently may be a little bit higher, they feel that the potential future increases are significantly less and they want to also see their monies going back to the local taxing districts rather than going to the State of Washington. ************************************** STATE INVESTMENT BOARD SB 6271, the State Treasurer's request bill increasing the size of the State Investment Board by two members (one of whom would be a representative of local government), died in Senate Rules. ************************************** MANUFACTURED HOMES/ESCROW SHB 2872, establishing an escrow procedures for the sale of manufactured homes, passed the House ************************************** TREASURER SERVICES FOR CONSERVATION DISTRICTS SSB 6219 and SHB 2348, authorizing conservation districts to designate their own treasurer, other than the county treasurer, passed their respective houses. The House version, SHB 2348, was heard by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Committee on Wednesday. ************************************** FOR CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS, PROSECUTORS AND SHERIFFS SB 5739, Allowing physicians' assistants, or advances registered nurse practitioners to certify the cause of death if they were last in attendance, was heard on Thursday, in House Health Care. SHB 2476, Investigating child deaths, has been assigned to Senate Judiciary and will be heard next Thursday evening, Feb. 24, at 6:00 p.m. HB 2330, Funding the State Toxicology Laboratory, is still waiting for a hearing in Senate Ways and Means. The Ways and Means Committee has not announced an agenda for next week. Please contact your Senators on Ways and Means to remind them it is not new money, just a "fix" and enlist their support of HB 2330. ************************************** FOR SHERIFFS SB 5542, E-911 local option taxes, is alive and well from last session. SB 5542 has passed out of the Senate and been assigned to the House Local Government Committee. No hearing has been set. HB 2903, Sound recording by law enforcement, has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Hats off to Benton County Sheriff Larry Taylor for his dedication to HB 2903. HB 2903 will be heard on Wednesday, February 23, at 8:00 a.m. SSB 6683, Requiring racial profiling during routine traffic stops, has been amended again, and applies only to the State Patrol. SSB 6683 has passed to the House. SSB 6397, Partial confinement, died in Senate Rules. 2SSB 6369, Law enforcement study, passed out of the Senate on Tuesday, with a vote of 47-0. It will be heard in House Criminal Justice and Corrections on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 10:00 a.m. if it is referred to that committee, which seems most likely. SSB 6467, Reversing the 1999 vehicle license fraud bill, will be heard in the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, February 22, at 3:30 p.m. ESHB 2337, Jail booking and reporting system, has been delivered to the Governor. ************************************** OF INTEREST TO COUNTY CLERKS SB 6743, Sealing juvenile records, passed out of the Senate on Tuesday. SB 6244, Extending juvenile jurisdiction, has passed out of the Senate and been referred to the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee and will be heard on Friday, February 25, at 8:00 a.m., the last day for bills to move out of committee. Please call your representatives on Criminal Justice and Corrections and urge their support of SSB 6244. HB 2328, Anti-harassment filing fees, and HB 2329, Judgment Summaries, were both heard in Senate Judiciary. Representatives Patricia Lantz and Joyce McDonald both deserve thanks for their sponsorship and for appearing to speak on behalf of their bills. Please contact your Senators on Senate Judiciary to urge them to pass HB 2328 and HB 2329 out of committee. SB 6154, County Clerks and Credit Cards, was being heard this afternoon, February 17, in the House Local Government Committee. SB 6154 must be out of committee by February 25. Please contact your representatives and Committee Chairs, Representatives Scott and Mulliken to urge their support of SB 6154. ESSB 6295, Garnishment proceedings, will be heard next Friday, February 25, at 1:30 p.m. The bill provides that in Superior Court, payments are made through the registry of the court and that the garnishment amount is based on the amount on the clerk's execution docket. SHB 2392, Local government joint task force, a WACO priority bill, was being be heard in the Senate State and Local Government today, February 17. WACO President H. Steward Menefee, Grays Harbor County Prosecutor, will be on hand to testify in support of SHB 2392 along with Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge and Pierce County Prosecutor John Ladenburg. WACO members are urged to contact their Senators in support of SHB 2392, especially those on the Senate State and Local Government Committee. ESSB 6690, Allowing for a citizen county salary commission (10 members: 6 selected at random and 4 appointed by the county commission or executive) has passed out of the Senate. The County Salary Commission can be set up to cover all elected officials or only the county commissioners/council members. ESSB 6690 has been referred to the House Local Government Committee and will be heard Wednesday, February 23, at 9:00 a.m. ************************************** OF INTEREST TO AUDITORS ESSB 6363, the WSACA absentee/mail ballot bill, has passed the Senate and has been referred to the House State Government Committee. The combining or uniting of election boards at any general election is allowed for but, election returns must be reported by individual precincts. We are working to get this bill scheduled for a hearing in the House. Please call your House State Government Committee members and request this bill be scheduled for a hearing. All of the bills to move the date of the primary election died in their respective Rules committees: 2SHB 1636; HB 2828 and SSB 6495. Other bills that did not make the cutoff and died were: SB 6304, the license plate replacement bill. This bill repealed the statute requiring the replacement of vehicle license plates every seven years. However, SB 6667, which exempts commercial vehicles weighing more than 26,000 lbs. from the requirement of having to replace those plates every seven years, did pass the Senate and will be referred to the House Transportation committee. SHB 2506 is dead. This bill provided for the sale and transfer of subagencies to a family member or an employee of the subagency. The auditor was to recommend the appointment of the successor unless the auditor found that the nominee did not meet specific established criteria. The bill provided that the Department of Licensing would establish the eligibility requirements in cooperation with Title Registration Advisory Committee (TRAC.) Auditors and subagents both supported this bill as amended. 2SSJR 8205, may be of some interest to auditors. The bill would provide for a constitutional amendment, to be voted on by the people, and would require a geographic distribution of initiative signatures gathered for placing an initiative measure on the ballot. No one congressional district could have more than one-sixth the total number of signatures required in order for the measure to be placed on the ballot. This has passed the Senate and is headed to the House. ************************************** MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS ************************************** NMFS TO HOLD ESA WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON FEBRUARY 28 NMFS will hold an ESA workshop for local and regional Governments on February 28 in Tumwater, WA. The workshop will focus on how local jurisdictions can gain legal protections under the 4(d) rulemaking process. The workshop will cover the application, development, and usefulness of the 4(d) rules. The morning session will consist of an overview and discussion of NMFS proposed 4(d) rules, key definitions, key programs, and the meaning of these rules for local governments. The afternoon will provide an opportunity for participants to share with others their experiences and expectations for 4(d) rulemaking. There is no cost for the NMFS workshop. However, participants must RSVP. The workshop will be held from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Labor and Industry Building Auditorium, 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA (near Exit 101 on Interstate 5). For more information or to register call NMFS at (503)230-5400 or email margaret.johnson@noaa.gov to RSVP. Space will be limited, so RSVP as soon as possible. In addition, the Tri-County Business Coalition, Washington Association of Realtors, and Perkins Coie will be hosting a workshop directed at elected officials faced with potential ESA liabilities. The workshop will be held Friday, February 25, 2000 from 7:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel at SeaTac. Attendance at this workshop will be limited to 100 participants. The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 23, 2000 at 12 noon. For more information contact Linda Gordon at Perkins Coie, (206)583-8420 or (800)475-6161. ************************************** COMING EVENTS ************************************** February 24-25 County Auditors' Records Conference, The Enzian Inn, Leavenworth. 29 Western State Sheriffs' Annual Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada. Through March 3. March 3-7 National Association of Counties' (NACo) Annual Legislative Conference, Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C. 27-31 Washington State Association of Coroners' and Medical Examiners' Spring Training, "Basic Death Investigation," Criminal Justice Training Center, Burien. 28-30 Washington State Association of Sheriffs' and Oregon State Association of Sheriffs' Annual Joint Meeting, Red Lion, Port Angeles. ************************************** DIRECTORY CHANGES ************************************** Please make the following changes to your 2000 Directory of County Officials: Page 1 under Board Members, Urban County Caucus, delete Kirke Sievers, Snohomish County; add Betty Sue Morris, Clark County. Page 57 Spokane County Planning for both Tom Davis and Jim Manson the phone numbers should be changed to (509) 477-3675. The fax numbers for both should begin with the prefix of 477, not 456. ************************************** JOBS ************************************** DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - THURSTON COUNTY, Olympia, WA, Salary: $5,015 - $6,686, Closing Date: March 3, 2000. Responsible for overall management of Department, which includes the "one-stop" permit assistance center, current planning, advanced planning, building/fire, and code enforcement. Requires a BA with courses in public administration, planning or building safety, at least 4 years of senior management experience in development functions, and 3 years of significant supervisory responsibility. Send resume and letter summarizing interest, experience and qualifications to Linda Hoffman, Chief Administrative Officer, Information Desk, Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, WA 98502-6045 or fax (360) 357-2489. To receive an information package call (360) 754-3800 or TDD (360) 754-2933. Thurston County is an equal opportunity employer. ***** INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER - LEWIS COUNTY, Salary Range: $3,910.83 - $4,029.08/month, Closing Date: February 25, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. - Lewis County is seeking an individual to manage the Information Services (IS) Division with a broad knowledge of information systems, analysis and/or programming to resolve complex end-user problems and application programs. Duties will include but are not limited to plan, coordinate and supervise the activities and operations of the IS Division. Analyze and evaluate automated services, prepare short and long term plans, recommend capital expenditures, develop and monitor annual operating and capital expenditure budgets, recommend action, solutions and changes to administration regarding automated systems. This individual will also recommend hire, promotions, disciplinary actions and termination to Director, plan and assign work, motivate, counsel and evaluate the work of assigned staff, maintain effective staff and public relations, develop policies and procedures relating to computer and communications systems, facilitate staff and project meetings and training workshops. The successful candidate will have a bachelors' degree plus five years of technical and administrative experience in operating, maintaining and managing automated computer systems, computer networks, PC's and user support services and display a thorough knowledge and experience in project management, principles of leadership, management and performance assessments and maintain a high standard of conduct. Application packets available from and must be submitted to Lewis Co. General Administration Department, 360 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532, telephone (360) 740-1408. Lewis County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ***** SNOHOMISH COUNTY - DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES - $81,775 - $115,557 Annual Salary Plus Benefits. Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and supports the benefits of a diverse workforce. The County Executive is seeking a qualified individual to plan, organize, coordinate and direct the operations of the Department of Human Services. This position requires a Bachelor's degree in public administration in one of the social sciences or other discipline related to human services; and, four years of management experience in a field related to human services; or, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Prior experience in a governmental human services program is preferred. For a complete application packet please contact the office listed below. To apply send: Letter of Interest, resume, answers to Supplemental Questionnaire. Send completed information to: Snohomish County Human Resources, M/S 503, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201-4046 or Fax: (425) 388-3579, Phone: (425) 388-3411, e-mail: jackie.anderson@co.snohomish.wa.us. Application materials are due by February 29, 2000. ***** DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR - SPOKANE, WA - Highly responsible and complex administrative and supervisory work as the administrator of Spokane County District Court; requires a BA/BS in judicial, public or business administration or related AND five years progressively responsible court administrative or management experience, including two years supervisory; OR substituting MBA, MPA, LLB or JD for up to three years of the non-supervisory experience; $53,489 - $72,176 year plus excellent benefits; closes March 3, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. Contact Spokane County HR at (509) 477-5750 for application materials. Equal Opportunity Employer, www.spokanecounty.org. ***** DIRECTOR OF PLANNING - SPOKANE COUNTY, Salary Range $46,976- $63,387 annually, plus excellent benefits. Spokane County (population 420,000) is the financial, economic and cultural center of Eastern Washington. Surrounded by many beautiful parks, lakes and recreation areas, Spokane residents enjoy an abundance of year-round activities including skiing, hiking, golfing and boating. The Director of Planning will plan, organize and direct the Current and Long Range Planning divisions of Public Works, including 27 employees and a budget of $2.3 million, under the general supervision of the Public Works Director. Requires a bachelor's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Political Science or related field AND five years of progressively responsible planning experience- including two years in a supervisory capacity. Closes 3/3/2000, 5pm. For complete information and application materials, contact Spokane County Human Resources, 1229 W Mallon, Spokane, WA 99260; (509) 477-5750, TDD; EOE; www.spokanecounty.org. Contact Tim Hansen at (509) 477-2122 (tchansen@spokanecounty.org) with additional questions. ***** PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR - WHATCOM COUNTY, Bellingham, WA. Starting salary range $65,196-$70,452/year. The County needs a proven manager to build consistent practice and to gain the respect of staff. This position requires a Master's in Business administration, public administration, or related field AND 6 years of progressively responsible experience including 3 years management experience. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., March 20, 2000. Required application packet is available at Whatcom County Human Resources, (360) 676-6802, M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email your application request to: hr@co.whatcom.wa.us. Call our jobline (360) 738-4550 or visit our website at www.co.whatcom.wa.us for more details. Equal Opportunity Employer. ***** PACIFIC COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - Pacific County Department of Public Works has an opening for Assistant Telecommunications Engineer with management, operation and maintenance of the County microwave communication system, mobile radio communication system, communication sites and facilities, E-911 communication system, PBX/Audix switch, countywide phone system, security and fire alarm systems and other related or logical assignments. Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university or technical school with a minimum two years degree specializing in electronics, communications and radio theory and applications or a related field; and three years responsible experience in electronics or related field; or demonstrated equivalent combination of education and/or experience which provides the applicant with attributes defined in Section 4.3 or the job description. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other related field preferred. Salary Range: Negotiable to mid $40K's, DOQ plus benefit package. Application: Employment application packets and complete position description are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Pacific County Department of Public Works, PO Box 66, 300 Memorial Avenue, Courthouse Basement, South Bend, WA 98586 or phone (360) 875-9368. Closing Date: Applications will be received during a general recruitment period through Wednesday, March 15, 2000. The position will remain open until filled. Pacific County is an equal opportunity employer. ***** METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL - COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR - Position Opens: February 16, 2000, Position Closes: March 6, 2000, Annual Salary Range: $ 65,951 - $ 82,364. Job Summary: The council administrator provides administrative support to the operation of the Metropolitan King County Council and other legislative branch agencies through the provision of centralized support services including budgeting, human resource management, accounting, payroll, computer network administration and clerical support. The administrator reports to the chief of staff and is ultimately responsible to all thirteen members of the council. Application Process: A resume, cover letter and application must be submitted to the attention of the Employment Committee of the Metropolitan King County Council. Please call (206) 296-1688 to request a full job description and application. Application forms may also be obtained from the County's web site: www.metrokc.gov. ***** ASOTIN COUNTY - PLANNING CONSULTANT SERVICES - Asotin County Board of Commissioners are seeking a planning consultant to develop a zoning ordinance and zoning map for the unincorporated areas of Asotin County. Duties will consist of working with the Asotin County Planning Commission and a Citizen Advisory Committee to develop ordinance modules such as, but not limited to, definitions, general provisions, zoning district regulations, and administration and enforcement. The unincorporated area of Asotin County has a population of 11,995 and covers approximately 630 square miles. Those interested in obtaining a Request for Proposal should contact Karst Riggers at the Asotin County Planning Department at (509) 243-2020. Deadline for proposals will be March 13, 2000 at 12:00 noon. Proposals should be mailed to Asotin County Planning Department, PO Box 610, Asotin, WA 99402. **** END ****