Date: 03/19/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1217

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ENERGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer HB 09-1217 to the Committee of the PASS



10:07 AM -- House Bill 09-1217

Senator Scheffel, sponsor, described the provision of HB 09-1217 concerning the creation of local improvement districts for public utilities. He explained that under state law, counties may fund local improvements through the creation of local improvement districts (LID). Property and sales within a LID may be taxed for specified improvements, including those related to roads and urban drainage. This bill permits counties to use LIDs to finance public utility improvements, such as gas, electric, telecommunication improvements.

The following persons testified on the bill:

10:12 AM -- Doug Dean, Director, Public Utilities Commission (PUC), explained that certain utilities have expressed concern about provisions of the reengrossed bill. The PUC is currently working with affected entities to draft an amendment for Senate Second Reading to address these issues.

10:18 AM -- Jack Hilbert, Douglas County Commission, spoke in support of the bill and explained how LIDs are formed and governed. He also explained how such districts will help citizens fund needed "dry" utility improvements, such as electrical service. He also responded to questions from the committee about the authority of current LIDs to fund utility improvements and other counties that may want to use the authorities granted under the bill.

10:33 AM -- Lance Ingalls, Douglas County Attorney, described how LIDs are formed and responded to questions from the committee about existing districts and their ability to approve utility improvements.

10:43 AM -- David O'Leary, Qwest, spoke in support of the bill and responded to questions about the formation of LIDs by petition and the number of residents who must vote to approve the formation of the district.

BILL:HB09-1217
TIME: 10:52:53 AM
MOVED:Cadman
MOTION:Moved to refer HB 09-1217 to the Committee of the Whole, without amendment. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Kester
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Newell
Yes
Foster
Yes
Schwartz
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




10:54 AM

The committee recessed.