04/10/2000 01:55 PM Senate CRA

                   HB 255-HOME RULE COMMUNITIES                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. PETER TORKELSON, staff  to Representative Fred Dyson, stated the                                                            
goal of  CSHB 255(CRA) is  to allow small,  unincorporated  areas to                                                            
adopt a home rule charter  and to allow existing second class cities                                                            
to adopt a home  rule charter to let local governments  adopt a more                                                            
flexible  form of municipal  government to  address specific  needs.                                                            
Currently, if a community  has fewer than 400 people, the government                                                            
is prohibited from adopting a charter.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR.  TORKELSON  explained  that a  home rule  community  entity  was                                                            
created to ensure that  CSHB 255(CRA) would be effective.  Home rule                                                            
communities are  not school districts nor are they  required to file                                                            
a full financial  audit.  Currently,  home rule cities are  required                                                            
to zone and  plot land.  They would  not be required to do  so under                                                            
CSHB 255(CRA).   He is unaware of  any opposition to CSHB  255(CRA).                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Number 067                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. PAT  POLAND, Director  of the  Municipal  & Regional  Assistance                                                            
Division  for the Department  of Community  & Economic Development,                                                             
stated support for CSHB 255(CRA).                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN KELLY stated a  proposed technical amendment will accompany                                                            
CSHB 255(CRA) to the Senate floor.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MACKIE  moved CSHB 255(CRA)  and its accompanying  amendment                                                            
from committee with individual  recommendations.  Without objection,                                                            
the motion carried.