Source: http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=53.08&full=true
Timestamp: 2018-05-26 17:50:20
Document Index: 359488757

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', 'Art. 1', '§ 16', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 7', '§ 31', '§ 4', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', '§ 103', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 5', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 15', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 18', '§ 132', '§ 6', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 7', '§ 1', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', '§ 1', '§ 8', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 9', '§ 1', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', 'Art. 15', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 10', '§ 2', 'art; 1921', '§ 1', 'art; 1917', '§ 1', 'art; 1913', '§ 4', 'art; 1911', '§ 4', '§ 9692', '§ 26', 'Art. 15', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 9705', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 210', '§ 1', '§ 6', '§ 13', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', 'art; 1911', '§ 5', '§ 9693', '§ 7', '§ 11', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 1', 'art; 1911', '§ 5', '§ 9693', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 9710', '§ 3', '§ 9704', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 9692', '§ 1', '§ 22', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 16002', '§ 1', '§ 286', '§ 103', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 10', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 3', '§ 205', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 3', '§ 23', '§ 2', '§ 124', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 7', '§ 9', '§ 16003', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 27', '§ 18', '§ 16', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 21', '§ 22', '§ 203']

Chapter 53.08 RCW: POWERS
RCWs > Title 53 > Chapter 53.08
Chapter 53.08 RCW
53.08.005
53.08.010
Acquisition of property—Levy of assessments.
53.08.020
Acquisition and operation of facilities.
53.08.030
Operation of foreign trade zones.
53.08.040
Improvement of lands for industrial and commercial purposes—Providing sewer and water utilities—Providing pollution control facilities.
53.08.041
Pollution control facilities or other industrial development actions—Validation—Implementation of Article 8, section 8 of the Constitution.
53.08.043
Powers relative to systems of sewerage.
53.08.045
Facilities constructed under authority of chapter subject to taxation of leasehold interest.
53.08.047
Chapter not to be construed as restricting or limiting powers of district under other laws.
53.08.049
53.08.050
Local improvement districts—Assessments—Bonds.
53.08.055
Local improvement districts—Notice must contain statement that assessments may vary from estimates.
53.08.060
Improvement of waters and waterways.
53.08.070
Rates and charges—Government contracts.
53.08.080
Lease of property—Authorized—Duration.
53.08.085
Lease of property—Security for rent.
53.08.090
53.08.091
53.08.092
Sale of property—Taxes and assessments against property sold by contract.
53.08.110
Gifts—Improvement.
53.08.120
Contracts for labor and material—Small works roster.
53.08.130
Notice—Award of contract—Low bidder claiming error.
53.08.135
Construction projects over forty thousand dollars—Contracting out.
53.08.140
Leases or contracts without bond.
53.08.150
Notices when no newspaper in county.
53.08.160
Studies, investigations, surveys—Promotion of facilities.
53.08.170
Employment—Wages—Benefits—Agents—Insurance for port district commissioners.
53.08.175
Commissioners, officers, and employees—Reimbursement of expenses.
53.08.176
Commissioners, officers, and employees—Regulation of expenses.
53.08.180
Federal old age and survivors' insurance for employees.
53.08.190
Federal old age and survivors' insurance for employees—Plan for extension of benefits.
53.08.200
Federal old age and survivors' insurance for employees—Contributions.
53.08.205
Liability insurance for officials and employees.
53.08.208
Actions against officer, employee, or agent—Defense and costs provided by port district—Exception.
53.08.220
Regulations authorized—Adoption as part of ordinance or resolution of city or county, procedure—Enforcement—Penalty for violation.
53.08.230
Making motor vehicle and other police regulations applicable to district property—Filing plat with county auditor—Duty of law enforcement officers.
53.08.240
Joint exercise of powers and joint acquisition of property—Contracts with other governmental entities.
53.08.245
Economic development programs authorized—Job training and education.
53.08.255
Tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities authorized.
53.08.260
Park and recreation facilities.
53.08.270
Park and recreation facilities—Approval of other agencies.
53.08.280
Police officers—Appointment authorized—Jurisdiction.
53.08.290
Intermodal movement of interstate and foreign cargo—Restrictions.
53.08.295
Passenger-carrying vessels.
53.08.310
Moorage facilities—Definitions.
53.08.320
Moorage facilities—Rules authorized—Port charges, delinquency—Abandoned vessels, public sale.
53.08.330
Streets, roads, and highways—Construction, upgrading, improvement, and repair authorized.
53.08.340
Streets, roads, and highways—Expenditure of funds.
53.08.360
Annexation of port district property—Transfer of employees engaged in firefighting.
53.08.370
Telecommunications facilities—Construct, purchase, acquire, etc.—Purposes—Limitations—Eminent domain.
53.08.380
Wholesale telecommunications services—Petition for review of rates, terms, conditions.
53.08.390
Grays Harbor pilotage district—Conditions on pilotage service.
53.08.400
District may exercise powers of community renewal agency.
53.08.410
53.08.420
Cooperative watershed management.
53.08.440
Web site for contract database—Requirements.
53.08.450
Property outside jurisdiction—Future property development—Communication plan.
53.08.460
Transfer of ownership of port district-owned vessel—Review of vessel's physical condition.
53.08.470
Transfer of ownership of port district-owned vessel—Further requirements.
53.08.480
Acquisition of vacated waterways: RCW 79.120.060.
Actions by and against public corporations: RCW 4.08.110 and 4.08.120.
Deferral of special assessments: Chapter 84.38 RCW.
Emergency public works: Chapter 39.28 RCW.
Lien for labor and materials on public works: Chapter 60.28 RCW.
Municipal airports: Chapters 14.07 and 14.08 RCW.
Permits to use waterways within a port district: RCW 79.120.040.
Public contracts: Chapters 39.04 through 39.32 RCW.
Rewards for arrest and conviction of certain persons: RCW 10.85.030.
Special purpose districts, expenditures to recruit job candidates: RCW 42.24.170.
*** CHANGE IN 2018 *** (SEE 2664-S.SL) ***
(1) "Commission" means the Washington utilities and transportation commission.
(2) "Rural port district" means a port district formed under chapter 53.04 RCW and located in a county with an average population density of fewer than one hundred persons per square mile.
(3) "Telecommunications" has the same meaning as contained in RCW 80.04.010.
(4) "Telecommunications facilities" means lines, conduits, ducts, poles, wires, cables, crossarms, receivers, transmitters, instruments, machines, appliances, instrumentalities and all devices, real estate, easements, apparatus, property, and routes used, operated, owned, or controlled by any entity to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services.
(5) "Wholesale telecommunications services" means the provision of telecommunications services or facilities for resale by an entity authorized to provide telecommunications services to the general public and internet service providers.
[ 2000 c 81 § 6.]
Findings—2000 c 81: "The legislature makes the following findings:
(1) Access to telecommunications facilities and services is essential to the economic well-being of both rural and urban areas.
(2) Many persons and entities, particularly in rural areas, do not have adequate access to telecommunications facilities and services.
(3) Public utility districts and rural port districts may be well-positioned to construct and operate telecommunications facilities." [ 2000 c 81 § 1.]
A port district may acquire by purchase, for cash or on deferred payments for a period not exceeding twenty years, or by condemnation, or both, all lands, property, property rights, leases, or easements necessary for its purposes and may exercise the right of eminent domain in the acquirement or damaging of all such lands, property, and property rights, and may levy and collect assessments upon property for the payment of all damages and compensation in carrying out its purposes, and such right shall be exercised in the same manner and by the same procedure as provided for cities of the first class insofar as consistent with this title, and in connection therewith the county treasurer shall perform the duties of the treasurers of such cities.
[ 1983 c 24 § 1; 1955 c 65 § 2. Prior: 1953 c 171 § 1; 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
Eminent domain: State Constitution Art. 1 § 16 (Amendment 9).
A port district may construct, condemn, purchase, acquire, add to, maintain, conduct, and operate sea walls, jetties, piers, wharves, docks, boat landings, and other harbor improvements, warehouses, storehouses, elevators, grain-bins, cold storage plants, terminal icing plants, bunkers, oil tanks, ferries, canals, locks, tidal basins, bridges, subways, tramways, cableways, conveyors, administration buildings, fishing terminals, together with modern appliances and buildings for the economical handling, packaging, storing, and transporting of freight and handling of passenger traffic, rail and motor vehicle transfer and terminal facilities, water transfer and terminal facilities, air transfer and terminal facilities, and any combination of such transfer and terminal facilities, commercial transportation, transfer, handling, storage and terminal facilities, and improvements relating to industrial and manufacturing activities within the district, and in connection with the operation of the facilities and improvements of the district, it may perform all customary services including the handling, weighing, measuring and reconditioning of all commodities received. A port district may also construct, condemn, purchase, acquire, add to and maintain facilities for the freezing or processing of goods, agricultural products, meats or perishable commodities. A port district may also construct, purchase and operate belt line railways, but shall not acquire the same by condemnation.
[ 1963 c 147 § 3; 1961 c 126 § 1; 1955 c 65 § 3. Prior: 1953 c 171 § 2; 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
Severability—1961 c 126: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1961 c 126 § 2.]
Essential rail assistance account, distribution of moneys to port districts: RCW 47.76.250.
A district may apply to the United States for permission to establish, operate, and maintain foreign trade zones: (1) Within the district; and (2) on property adjacent to but outside the district if the property is beyond the boundaries of any existing foreign trade zone grantee and is not currently designated as a foreign trade zone: PROVIDED, That nothing herein shall be construed to prevent such zones from being operated and financed by a private corporation(s) on behalf of such district acting as zone sponsor: PROVIDED FURTHER, That when the money so raised is to be used exclusively for the purpose of acquiring land for sites and constructing warehouses, storage plants, and other facilities to be constructed within the zone for use in the operation and maintenance of the zones, the district may contract indebtedness and issue general bonds therefor in an amount, in addition to the three-fourths of one percent hereinafter fixed, of one percent of the value of the taxable property in the district, as the term "value of the taxable property" is defined in RCW 39.36.015, such additional indebtedness only to be incurred with the assent of three-fifths of the voters of the district voting thereon.
[ 2011 c 11 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 196 § 7; 1970 ex.s. c 42 § 31; 1955 c 65 § 4. Prior: 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
Foreign trade zones: Chapter 24.46 RCW.
*** CHANGE IN 2018 *** (SEE 6207.SL) ***
(1) A district may improve its lands by dredging, filling, bulkheading, providing waterways or otherwise developing such lands for industrial and commercial purposes. A district may also acquire, construct, install, improve, and operate sewer and water utilities to serve its own property and other property owners under terms, conditions, and rates to be fixed and approved by the port commission. A district may also acquire, by purchase, construction, lease, or in any other manner, and may maintain and operate other facilities for the control or elimination of air, water, or other pollution, including, but not limited to, facilities for the treatment and/or disposal of industrial wastes, and may make such facilities available to others under terms, conditions and rates to be fixed and approved by the port commission. Such conditions and rates shall be sufficient to reimburse the port for all costs, including reasonable amortization of capital outlays caused by or incidental to providing such other pollution control facilities. However, no part of such costs of providing any pollution control facility to others shall be paid out of any tax revenues of the port and no port shall enter into an agreement or contract to provide sewer and/or water utilities or pollution control facilities if substantially similar utilities or facilities are available from another source (or sources) which is able and willing to provide such utilities or facilities on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis unless such other source (or sources) consents thereto.
(2) In the event that a port elects to make such other pollution control facilities available to others, it shall do so by lease, lease purchase agreement, or other agreement binding such user to pay for the use of said facilities for the full term of the revenue bonds issued by the port for the acquisition of said facilities, and said payments shall at least fully reimburse the port for all principal and interest paid by it on said bonds and for all operating or other costs, if any, incurred by the port in connection with said facilities. However, where there is more than one user of any such facilities, each user shall be responsible for its pro rata share of such costs and payment of principal and interest. Any port intending to provide pollution control facilities to others shall first survey the port district to ascertain the potential users of such facilities and the extent of their needs. The port shall conduct a public hearing upon the proposal and shall give each potential user an opportunity to participate in the use of such facilities upon equal terms and conditions.
(3) "Pollution control facility," as used in this section and RCW 53.08.041, does not include air quality improvement equipment that provides emission reductions for engines, vehicles, and vessels.
[ 2007 c 348 § 103; 1989 c 298 § 1; 1972 ex.s. c 54 § 1; 1967 c 131 § 1; 1955 c 65 § 5. Prior: 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
Severability—1972 ex.s. c 54: "If any provision of this 1972 amendatory act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this 1972 amendatory act are declared to be severable." [ 1972 ex.s. c 54 § 5.]
All actions heretofore taken by port districts in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, and the provisions of chapter 6, Laws of 1975 hereby made applicable thereto, relating to pollution control facilities or other industrial development, including, but not limited to, all bonds issued for such purposes, shall be deemed to have been taken pursuant to Article 8, section 8 of the Washington state Constitution and are hereby declared to be valid, legal and binding in all respects. All provisions of Title 53 RCW directly or indirectly relating to pollution control facilities or other industrial development are hereby found and declared to be legislation implementing the provisions of Article 8, section 8 of the Washington state Constitution.
[ 1975 c 6 § 5.]
Construction—1975 c 6: See RCW 70.95A.912.
A port district may exercise all the powers relating to systems of sewerage authorized by RCW 35.67.010 and 35.67.020 for cities and towns.
[ 1997 c 447 § 15.]
Finding—Purpose—1997 c 447: See note following RCW 70.05.074.
Facilities constructed by a port district under authority of this chapter will be subject to taxation of leasehold interest pursuant to applicable laws as now or hereafter enacted.
[ 1972 ex.s. c 54 § 3.]
Severability—1972 ex.s. c 54: See note following RCW 53.08.040.
Neither this chapter nor anything herein contained shall be construed as a restriction or limitation upon any powers which a district might otherwise have under any laws of this state, but shall be construed as cumulative.
[ 1972 ex.s. c 54 § 4.]
In addition to other authority that a port district possesses, a port district may provide any public improvement as defined under RCW 39.89.020, but this additional authority is limited to participating in the financing of the public improvements as provided under RCW 39.89.050.
This section does not limit the authority of a port district to otherwise participate in the public improvements if that authority exists elsewhere.
[ 2001 c 212 § 18.]
(1) A district may establish local improvement districts within the district, and levy special assessments, in annual installments extending over a period not exceeding ten years on all property specially benefited by the local improvement, on the basis of special benefits, to pay in whole or in part the damages or costs of the local improvement, and issue local improvement bonds to be paid from local improvement assessments. The levy and collection of such assessments and issuance of such bonds shall be as provided for the levy and collection of local improvement assessments and the issuance of local improvement bonds by cities and towns, insofar as consistent with this title: PROVIDED, That the duties of the treasurers of such cities and towns in connection therewith shall be performed by the county treasurer. Such bonds may be in any form, including bearer bonds or registered bonds as provided in RCW 39.46.030.
[ 1983 c 167 § 132; 1955 c 65 § 6. Prior: 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
issuance of local improvement bonds: Chapter 35.45 RCW.
levy and collection of local improvement assessments: Chapters 35.44, 35.49 RCW.
Local improvements, supplemental authority: Chapter 35.51 RCW.
Public lands subject to local assessments: RCW 79.44.010.
Any notice given to the public or to the owners of specific lots, tracts, or parcels of land relating to the formation of a local improvement district shall contain a statement that actual assessments may vary from assessment estimates so long as they do not exceed a figure equal to the increased true and fair value the improvement adds to the property.
[ 1989 c 243 § 8.]
A district may improve navigable and nonnavigable waters of the United States and the state of Washington within the district; create and improve for harbor purposes new waterways within the district; and regulate and control all such waters and all natural or artificial waterways within the district and remove obstructions therefrom, and straighten, widen, deepen, and otherwise improve any water, watercourses, bays, lakes or streams, whether navigable or otherwise, flowing through or located within the district.
[ 1979 ex.s. c 30 § 8; 1955 c 65 § 7. Prior: 1943 c 171 § 1; 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
A district may fix, without right of appeal therefrom the rates of wharfage, dockage, warehousing, and port and terminal charges upon all improvements owned and operated by it, and the charges of ferries operated by it.
It may fix, subject to state regulation, rates of wharfage, dockage, warehousing, and all necessary port and terminal charges upon all docks, wharves, warehouses, quays, and piers owned by it and operated under lease from it.
Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a port district may enter into any contract for wharfage, dockage, warehousing, or port or terminal charges, with the United States or any governmental agency thereof or with the state of Washington or any political subdivision thereof under such terms as the commission may, in its discretion, negotiate.
[ 1995 c 146 § 1; 1955 c 65 § 8. Prior: 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
Utilities and transportation commission: Chapter 80.01 RCW.
A district may lease all lands, wharves, docks and real and personal property owned and controlled by it, for such purposes and upon such terms as the port commission deems proper: PROVIDED, That no lease shall be for a period longer than fifty years with option for extensions for up to an additional thirty years, except where the property involved is or is to be devoted to airport purposes the port commission may lease said property for such period as may equal the estimated useful life of such work or facilities, but not to exceed seventy-five years: PROVIDED FURTHER, That where the property is held by the district under lease from the United States government or the state of Washington, or any agency or department thereof, the port commission may sublease said property, with option for extensions, up to the total term and extensions thereof permitted by such lease, but in any event not to exceed ninety years.
[ 1989 c 298 § 2; 1983 c 64 § 1; 1973 c 87 § 1; 1961 ex.s. c 8 § 1; 1959 c 157 § 1; 1955 c 65 § 9. Prior: 1953 c 243 § 1; 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
county property for airport purposes: RCW 36.34.180.
municipal property for airport purposes: RCW 14.08.120.
Restrictions on leases of harbor areas: State Constitution Art. 15 § 2.
Every lease of all lands, wharves, docks, and real and personal property of a port district for a term of more than one year shall have the rent secured by rental insurance, bond, or other security satisfactory to the port commission, in an amount equal to one-sixth the total rent, but in no case shall such security be less than an amount equal to one year's rent or more than an amount equal to three years' rent. Evidence of the existence of such insurance, bonds, or security shall be on file with the commission at all times during the term of the lease: PROVIDED, That nothing in this section shall prevent the port commission from requiring additional security on leases or provisions thereof, or on other agreements to use port facilities: PROVIDED FURTHER, That any security agreement may provide for termination on the anniversary date of such agreement on not less than one year's written notice to the port if said lease is not in default at the time of said notice: PROVIDED FURTHER, That if the security as required herein is not maintained throughout the full term of the lease, said lease shall be considered in default: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the port commission may in its discretion waive the rent security requirement or lower the amount of such requirement on the lease of real and/or personal port property.
[ 1981 c 125 § 1; 1977 c 41 § 1; 1973 c 87 § 2.]
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to repeal or modify procedures for property sales within industrial development districts as set forth in chapter 53.25 RCW.
(2) The ten thousand dollar figures in subsection (1) of this section shall be adjusted annually based upon the governmental price index established by the department of revenue under *RCW 82.14.200.
[ 1994 c 26 § 1; 1981 c 262 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 30 § 1; 1965 c 23 § 1; 1955 c 65 § 10. Prior: 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]
*Reviser's note: RCW 82.14.200 was repealed by 2012 c 198 § 26.
Restriction on sale of harbor rights and property: State Constitution Art. 15 § 1 (Amendment 15).
A copy of all contract sales of port district property shall be filed with the county assessor within thirty days after the first payment is received by the port. The assessor shall place such property on the tax rolls of the county and the purchaser of such property shall become liable for all levies and assessments against such property. The port shall not be liable for any taxes or assessments, but if any outstanding taxes are not paid the property may be sold by the county as with other property with delinquent taxes due. Any amounts accruing from such a sale by the county, not required to pay outstanding and delinquent taxes or assessments and foreclosure costs, shall be paid to the port district.
[ 1965 c 23 § 3.]
Port commissioners of any port district are hereby authorized to accept for and on behalf of said port district gifts of real and personal property and to expend in improvements and betterment such amount as may be necessary.
[ 1921 c 39 § 4; RRS § 9705.]
*** CHANGE IN 2018 *** (SEE 6329-S.SL) ***
(1) All material and work required by a port district not meeting the definition of public work in RCW 39.04.010(4) may be procured in the open market or by contract and all work ordered may be done by contract or day labor.
(2)(a) All such contracts for work meeting the definition of "public work" in RCW 39.04.010(4), the estimated cost of which exceeds three hundred thousand dollars, shall be awarded using a competitive bid process. The contract must be awarded at public bidding upon notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district at least thirteen days before the last date upon which bids will be received, calling for bids upon the work, plans and specifications for which shall then be on file in the office of the commission for public inspection. The same notice may call for bids on such work or material based upon plans and specifications submitted by the bidder. The competitive bidding requirements for purchases or public works may be waived pursuant to RCW 39.04.280 if an exemption contained within that section applies to the purchase or public work.
(b) For all contracts related to work meeting the definition of "public work" in RCW 39.04.010(4) that are estimated at three hundred thousand dollars or less, a port district may let contracts using the small works roster process under RCW 39.04.155 in lieu of advertising for bids. Whenever possible, the managing official shall invite at least one proposal from a minority contractor who shall otherwise qualify under this section.
When awarding such a contract for work, when utilizing proposals from the small works roster, the managing official shall give weight to the contractor submitting the lowest and best proposal, and whenever it would not violate the public interest, such contracts shall be distributed equally among contractors, including minority contractors, on the small works roster.
[ 2009 c 74 § 2; 2008 c 130 § 1; 2000 c 138 § 210; 1999 c 29 § 1; 1998 c 278 § 6; 1993 c 198 § 13; 1988 c 235 § 1; 1982 c 92 § 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 47 § 1; 1955 c 348 § 2. Prior: 1921 c 179 § 1, part; 1911 c 92 § 5, part; RRS § 9693, part.]
Severability—1955 c 348: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1955 c 348 § 7.]
The notice shall state generally the nature of the work to be done and require that bids be sealed and filed with the commission at a time specified therein. Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid proposal deposit in the form of a cashier's check, money order, or surety bid bond to the commission for a sum not less than five percent of the amount of the bid, and no bid shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid proposal deposit. At the time and place named the bids shall be publicly opened and read and the commission shall proceed to canvass the bids and, except as otherwise in this section provided, shall let the contract to the lowest responsible bidder upon plans and specifications on file, or to the best bidder submitting his or her own plans and specifications. If, in the opinion of the commission, all bids are unsatisfactory, they may reject all of them and readvertise, and in such case all such bid proposal deposits shall be returned to the bidders; but if the contract is let, then all bid proposal deposits shall be returned to the bidders, except that of the successful bidder which shall be retained until a contract is entered into for the purchase of such materials or doing such work, and a bond given to the port district for the performance of the contract and otherwise conditioned as required by law, with sureties satisfactory to the commission, in an amount to be fixed by the commission, but not in any event less than twenty-five percent of the contract price. If the bidder fails to enter into the contract in accordance with his or her bid and furnish such bond within ten days from the date at which he or she is notified that he or she is the successful bidder, the check or money order and the amount thereof shall be forfeited to the port district or the port district shall recover the amount of the surety bid bond. A low bidder who claims error and fails to enter into a contract is prohibited from bidding on the same project if a second or subsequent call for bids is made for the project.
[ 1996 c 18 § 11; 1971 ex.s. c 258 § 2; 1955 c 348 § 3. Prior: 1921 c 179 § 1, part; 1911 c 92 § 5, part; RRS § 9693, part.]
Severability—1971 ex.s. c 258: See note following RCW 28B.10.350.
Severability—1955 c 348: See note following RCW 53.08.120.
Contractor's bond: Chapter 39.08 RCW.
Lien on public works, retained percentage of contractor's earnings: Chapter 60.28 RCW.
Port districts shall determine if any construction project over forty thousand dollars can be accomplished less expensively by contracting out. If contracting out is less expensive, the port district may contract out such project.
[ 1982 c 92 § 2.]
Port districts may enter into leases and contracts of every kind and nature with the United States of America or any of its departments, the state of Washington or any of its departments, or its political subdivisions or with any municipal corporation or quasi municipal corporation of the state of Washington, without requiring said port district or public bodies to provide bonds to secure the performance thereof. All such leases or contracts heretofore entered into are hereby ratified.
[ 1943 c 136 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9710.]
Notices required in port districts in which no newspaper is published may be given by publication in any newspaper of general circulation in the county.
[ 1921 c 39 § 3; RRS § 9704.]
All port districts organized under the provisions of this act shall be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered to initiate and carry on the necessary studies, investigations and surveys required for the proper development, improvement and utilization of all port properties, utilities and facilities, and for industrial development within the district when such agricultural and industrial development is carried out by a public agency, institution, or body for a public purpose, and to assemble and analyze the data thus obtained and to cooperate with the state of Washington, other port districts and other operators of terminal and transportation facilities for these purposes, and to make such expenditures as are necessary for said purposes, and for the proper promotion, advertising, improvement and development of such port properties, utilities and facilities: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That nothing in this section shall authorize a port district to develop its properties as an agricultural or dairy farm.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 55 § 1; 1947 c 24 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 9692A.]
The port commission shall have authority to create and fill positions, to fix wages, salaries and bonds thereof, to pay costs and assessments involved in securing or arranging to secure employees, and to establish such benefits for employees, including holiday pay, vacations or vacation pay, retirement and pension benefits, medical, surgical or hospital care, life, accident, or health disability insurance, and similar benefits, already established by other employers of similar employees, as the port commissioner shall by resolution provide: PROVIDED, That any district providing insurance benefits for its employees in any manner whatsoever may provide health and accident insurance, life insurance with coverage not to exceed that provided district employees, and business related travel, liability, and errors and omissions insurance, for its commissioners, which insurance shall not be considered to be compensation.
Subject to chapter 48.62 RCW, the port commission shall have authority to provide or pay such benefits directly, or to provide for such benefits by the purchase of insurance policies or entering into contracts with and compensating any person, firm, agency or organization furnishing such benefits, or by making contributions to vacation plans or funds, or health and welfare plans and funds, or pension plans or funds, or similar plans or funds, already established by other employers of similar employees and in which the port district is permitted to participate for particular classifications of its employees by the trustees or other persons responsible for the administration of such established plans or funds: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no port district employee shall be allowed to apply for admission to or be accepted as a member of the state employees' retirement system after January 1, 1965, if admission to such system would result in coverage under both a private pension system and the state employees' retirement system, it being the purpose of this proviso that port districts shall not at the same time contribute for any employee to both a private pension or retirement plan and to the state employees' retirement system. The port commission shall have authority by resolution to utilize and compensate agents for the purpose of paying, in the name and by the check of such agent or agents or otherwise, wages, salaries and other benefits to employees, or particular classifications thereof, and for the purpose of withholding payroll taxes and paying over tax moneys so withheld to appropriate government agencies, on a combined basis with the wages, salaries, benefits, or taxes of other employers or otherwise; to enter into such contracts and arrangements with and to transfer by warrant such funds from time to time to any such agent or agents so appointed as are necessary to accomplish such salary, wage, benefit, or tax payments as though the port district were a private employer, notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary. The funds of a port district transferred to such an agent or agents for the payment of wages or salaries of its employees in the name or by the check of such agent or agents shall be subject to garnishment with respect to salaries or wages so paid, notwithstanding any provision of the law relating to municipal corporations to the contrary.
Notwithstanding any provision in this section, the governing body of a port district may enter into an agreement in writing with one or more of its officers or employees or a group of such officers and employees, authorizing deductions from the officer's or employee's salary or wages of the amount of any premium specified in writing by the officer or employee, for contribution to any private pension plan, without loss of eligibility for membership in the state employees' retirement system, and may agree to remit that amount to the management of such private pension plan. However, no port district funds shall be contributed or paid to such private plan. When such authorized deductions are certified by the port commission to the port district's auditor, the auditor shall draw and issue a proper warrant or warrants, or check or checks if that method of payment is authorized by statute, directly to and in favor of the person, firm, corporation, or organization named in the authorization, for the total amount authorized to be deducted from the payroll, together with a list identifying the officers and employees for whom the payment is made.
Nothing in this section may be invoked to invalidate any private pension plan or any public or private contributions or payments thereto, or exclude members of any such private pension plan from membership in the state employees' retirement system, if such private plan was in operation on December 31, 2001.
[ 2002 c 362 § 1; 1991 sp.s. c 30 § 22; 1987 c 50 § 1; 1985 c 81 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 6 § 1; 1965 c 20 § 1; 1955 c 64 § 1.]
Garnishment: Chapter 6.27 RCW.
Payroll deductions: RCW 41.04.020.
Prevailing wages on public works: Chapter 39.12 RCW.
Employees, officers, and commissioners of port districts shall, when engaged in official business of the port district, be entitled to receive their necessary and reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred on behalf of the port district. Reimbursement of such expenses may be granted, whether incurred within or without the port district, when submitted on a voucher with appropriate evidence of payment by such employee or official.
[ 1965 c 101 § 1.]
Section headings—1965 c 101: "Section headings as used in this act do not constitute any part of the law." [ 1965 c 101 § 3.]
Each port district shall adopt a resolution (which may be amended from time to time) which shall establish the basic rules and regulations governing methods and amount of reimbursement payable to such port officials and employees for travel and other business expenses incurred on behalf of the district. The resolution shall, among other things, establish procedures for approving such expenses; set forth the method of authorizing the direct purchase of transportation; the form of the voucher; and requirements governing the use of credit cards issued in the name of the port district. Such regulations may provide for payment of per diem in lieu of actual expenses when travel requires overnight lodging: PROVIDED, That in all cases any per diem payment shall not exceed the United States general service administration's per diem rates. The state auditor shall, as provided by general law, cooperate with the port district in establishing adequate procedures for regulating and auditing the reimbursement of all such expenses.
[ 2015 c 29 § 1; 1965 c 101 § 2.]
Section headings—1965 c 101: See note following RCW 53.08.175.
As used in RCW 53.08.180 through 53.08.200, the term "employees" shall be as defined in RCW 41.48.020 and no distinction shall be made for the purposes of coverage under the social security act, between persons employed by a port district on a casual or temporary basis, or on a regular or steady basis, or between persons paid hourly wages and persons paid wages on a weekly, monthly, or other periodic basis. It being the intent of RCW 53.08.180 through 53.08.200 that all employees shall be entitled to the coverage of the federal social security act for work performed in the service of a port district, which is not covered by the state employees' retirement system.
[ 1955 c 219 § 1.]
Each port district, which has not previously done so, shall within thirty days of June 8, 1955, submit for approval by the governor a plan for extending the benefits of Title II of the federal social security act, as amended, in conformity with applicable provisions of said act as set forth in chapter 41.48 RCW, to employees of such port district who are employed in positions not covered by the employees' retirement system of the state of Washington. The plan required to be submitted by this section shall be as set forth in RCW 41.48.050 and shall be in conformance therewith.
[ 1955 c 219 § 2.]
All port districts are authorized to make contributions on employees' wages, and to impose upon their employees contributions with respect to their wages in accordance with RCW 41.48.030 through 41.48.050.
[ 1955 c 219 § 3.]
The board of commissioners of each port district may purchase liability insurance with such limits as they may deem reasonable for the purpose of protecting their officials and employees against liability for personal or bodily injuries and property damage arising from their acts or omissions while performing or in good faith purporting to perform their official duties.
[ 1973 c 125 § 4.]
Whenever any action, claim, or proceeding is instituted against any person who is or was an officer, employee, or agent of a port district established under this title arising out of the performance or failure of performance of duties for, or employment with any such district, the commission of the district may grant a request by such person that the attorney of the district's choosing be authorized to defend said claim, suit or proceeding, and the costs of defense, attorney's fees, and any obligation for payment arising from such action may be paid from the district's funds: PROVIDED, That costs of defense and/or judgment or settlement against such person shall not be paid in any case where the court has found that such person was not acting in good faith or within the scope of his or her employment with or duties for the district.
[ 2010 c 8 § 16002; 1975 c 60 § 1.]
(1) A port district may formulate all needful regulations for the use by tenants, agents, servants, licensees, invitees, suppliers, passengers, customers, shippers, business visitors, and members of the general public of any properties or facilities owned or operated by it, and request the adoption, amendment, or repeal of such regulations as part of the ordinances of the city or town in which such properties or facilities are situated, or as part of the resolutions of the county, if such properties or facilities be situated outside any city or town. The port commission shall make such request by resolution after holding a public hearing on the proposed regulations, of which at least ten days' notice shall be published in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the port district. Such regulations must conform to and be consistent with federal and state law. As to properties or facilities situated within a city or town, such regulations must conform to and be consistent with the ordinances of the city or town. As to properties or facilities situated outside any city or town, such regulations must conform to and be consistent with county resolutions. Upon receiving such request, the governing body of the city, town, or county, as the case may be, may adopt such regulations as part of its ordinances or resolutions, or amend or repeal such regulations in accordance with the terms of the request.
(2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any violation of the regulations described in subsection (1) of this section is a misdemeanor which shall be redressed in the same manner as other police regulations of the city, town, or county, and it shall be the duty of all law enforcement officers to enforce such regulations accordingly.
(b) Except as provided in (c) of this subsection, violation of such a regulation relating to traffic including parking, standing, stopping, and pedestrian offenses is a traffic infraction.
(c) Violation of such a regulation equivalent to those provisions of Title 46 RCW set forth in RCW 46.63.020 remains a misdemeanor.
[ 2003 c 53 § 286; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 103; 1961 c 38 § 1.]
A port district may at its option file with the county auditor a plat of any of its properties or facilities, showing thereon such private streets, alleys, access roads, parking areas, parks and other places as the port district may wish to have treated as public for purposes of motor vehicle or other police regulations. Such plat may be amended at any time by the filing of an amendatory plat, and may be vacated at any time by the filing of a resolution of vacation. So long as any such plat or amendatory plat is on file and not vacated, the motor vehicle or other police regulations of the state, and the motor vehicle regulations of the city, town or county, as the case may be, in which the areas described in the plat are situated, shall apply to such areas as though they were public streets, alleys, access roads, parking areas, parks or other places, and it shall be the duty of all state and local law enforcement officers to enforce such regulations accordingly.
[ 1961 c 38 § 2.]
(1) Any two or more port districts shall have the power, by mutual agreement, to exercise jointly all powers granted to each individual district, and in the exercise of such powers shall have the right and power to acquire jointly all lands, property, property rights, leases, or easements necessary for their purposes, either entirely within or partly within or partly without or entirely without such districts: PROVIDED, That any two or more districts so acting jointly, by mutual agreement, shall not acquire any real property or real property rights in any other port district without the consent of such district.
(2) A district may enter into any contract with the United States, or any state, county, or municipal corporation, or any department of those entities, for carrying out any of the powers that each of the contracting parties may by law exercise separately.
(3)(a) A port district that is located in a county that has a contiguous border with another state, and a population between fifty and seventy thousand, may enter into any contract that each of the contracting parties may by law exercise separately with, including but not limited to, municipal corporations of adjoining states.
(b) In addition to other powers granted by statute, a port district that is located in a county that has a contiguous border with another state, and a population between fifty and seventy thousand, may enter into agreements with the United States or any of its agencies, or with any state, or with any municipal corporation of this state or of an adjoining state, for exercising jointly or cooperatively within or outside the district, in whole or in part, any of the powers that each of the contracting parties may by law exercise separately, for the promotion or development of trade or industry. Such powers may be exercised outside the boundaries of this state only after a public hearing of which notice has been published in a newspaper of general circulation within the district at least ten days in advance, and pursuant to findings and a resolution by the port district's commission that: (i) The undertaking and the district's participation in it will substantially benefit the district and the state of Washington; and (ii) the districts' share of the cost will not exceed an amount calculated by dividing the total cost of the undertaking by the number of participants.
[ 1999 c 306 § 3; 1961 c 24 § 1.]
Purpose—1999 c 306: See note following RCW 53.04.010.
(1) It shall be in the public purpose for all port districts to engage in economic development programs. In addition, port districts may contract with nonprofit corporations in furtherance of this and other acts relating to economic development.
(2)(a) Economic development programs may include those programs for job training and placement, preapprenticeship training or educational programs associated with port tenants, customers, and local economic development related to port activities that are sponsored by a port, operated by a nonprofit entity and are in existence on June 10, 2010.
(b) As a contract condition, a sponsoring port must require any nonprofit entity that operates programs such as those described in (a) of this subsection to submit annually quantitative information on program outcomes including: The number of workers trained, recruited, and placed in jobs; the types of jobs and range of compensation; the number and types of businesses that are served; and any other tangible benefits realized by the port, the workers, businesses, and the public.
[ 2010 c 195 § 1; 1985 c 125 § 1.]
(1) Any port district in this state, acting through its commission, has power to expend moneys and conduct promotion of resources and facilities in the district or general area by advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information to attract visitors and encourage tourist expansion.
(2)(a) Any port district is authorized either individually or jointly with any other municipality, or person, or any combination thereof, to acquire and to operate tourism-related facilities.
(b) When exercising the authority granted under (a) of this subsection, a port district may exercise any of the powers granted to a municipality under RCW 67.28.120, 67.28.130 through 67.28.170, and 67.28.220, but may not exercise powers granted to municipalities under RCW 67.28.180 and 67.28.181 or other powers granted to municipalities under chapter 67.28 RCW. The definitions contained in RCW 67.28.080 apply to the exercise of authority by a port district under (a) of this subsection, and for that purpose the term "municipality" includes a port district.
(c) Port districts may not use this section as the authority for the exercise of the power of eminent domain.
[ 2007 c 476 § 1; 1984 c 122 § 10.]
A port district may construct, improve, maintain, and operate public park and recreation facilities when such facilities are necessary to more fully utilize boat landings, harbors, wharves and piers, air, land, and water passenger and transfer terminals, waterways, and other port facilities authorized by law pursuant to the port's comprehensive plan of harbor improvements and industrial development.
[ 1965 c 81 § 1.]
Harbor improvement plan: RCW 53.20.010.
Before undertaking any such plan for the acquisition and operation of any park or recreational facility the proposed plan therefor shall be first submitted in writing to the director of the parks and recreation commission and to the governing body of any county or municipal park agency having jurisdiction in the area. The state director and/or such county or municipal park agency shall examine the port's proposed plan, and may disapprove such proposed plan if it is found to be in conflict with state or local park and recreation plans for the same area. If such proposed port plan is disapproved the port district shall not proceed further with such plan. If the state director or the governing body of the county or municipal agency does not respond in writing to the port within sixty days, it shall be deemed that approval has been granted.
[ 1965 c 81 § 2.]
Any port district operating an airport with a police department as authorized by RCW 14.08.120 or designated as a port of entry by the federal government is authorized to appoint police officers with full police powers to enforce all applicable federal, state, or municipal statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances upon any port-owned or operated properties or operations: PROVIDED, That such police officers must have successfully graduated from a recognized professional police academy or training institution.
[ 1981 c 97 § 1; 1974 ex.s. c 62 § 1.]
In addition to the other powers under this chapter, a port district, in connection with the operation of facilities and improvements of the district, may perform all necessary activities related to the intermodal movement of interstate and foreign cargo: PROVIDED, That nothing contained herein shall authorize a port district to engage in the transportation of commodities by motor vehicle for compensation outside the boundaries of the port district. A port district may, by itself or in conjunction with public or private entities, acquire, construct, purchase, lease, contract for, provide, and operate rail services, equipment, and facilities inside or outside the port district: PROVIDED, That such authority may only be exercised outside the boundaries of the port district if such extraterritorial rail services, equipment, or facilities are found, by resolution of the commission of the port district exercising such authority, to be reasonably necessary to link the rail services, equipment, and facilities within the port district to an interstate railroad system; however, if such extraterritorial rail services, equipment, or facilities are in or are to be located in one or more other port districts, the commission of such other port district or districts must consent by resolution to the proposed plan of the originating port district which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no port district shall engage in the manufacture of railcars for use off port property.
[ 1981 c 47 § 1; 1980 c 110 § 2.]
Purpose—1980 c 110: "The purpose of this act is to:
(1) Clarify existing law as to the authority of port districts to perform certain cargo movement activities and to contract for or otherwise provide facilities for rail service for the movement of such cargo; and
(2) Provide authority for port districts to assist in development of the recreation-tourism industry by acquiring and operating certain watercraft in limited areas." [ 1980 c 110 § 1.]
A port district may acquire, lease, construct, purchase, maintain, and operate passenger-carrying vessels on Puget Sound, interstate navigable rivers of the state, and intrastate waters of adjoining states. Service provided shall be under terms, conditions, and rates to be fixed and approved by the port commission. Operation of such vessels shall be subject to applicable state and federal laws pertaining to such service.
[ 2008 c 45 § 4; 1980 c 110 § 3.]
Purpose—1980 c 110: See note following RCW 53.08.290.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this section, RCW 53.08.480, and 53.08.320.
(1) "Moorage facility" means any properties or facilities owned or operated by a moorage facility operator which are capable of use for the moorage or storage of vessels.
(2) "Moorage facility operator" means any port district, city, town, metropolitan park district, or county which owns and/or operates a moorage facility.
(3) "Owner" means every natural person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or organization, or agent thereof, with actual or apparent authority, who expressly or impliedly contracts for use of a moorage facility.
(4) "Port charges" mean charges of a moorage facility operator for moorage and storage, and all other charges owing or to become owing under a contract between a vessel owner and the moorage facility operator, or under an officially adopted tariff including, but not limited to, costs of sale and related legal expenses.
(5) "Transient vessel" means a vessel using a moorage facility and which belongs to an owner who does not have a moorage agreement with the moorage facility operator. Transient vessels include, but are not limited to: Vessels seeking a harbor of refuge, day use, or overnight use of a moorage facility on a space-as-available basis. Transient vessels may also include vessels taken into custody under RCW 79.100.040.
(6) "Vessel" means every species of watercraft or other artificial contrivance capable of being used as a means of transportation on water and which does not exceed two hundred feet in length. "Vessel" includes any trailer used for the transportation of watercraft.
[ 2014 c 195 § 205; 1986 c 260 § 1; 1983 c 188 § 1.]
Findings—Intent—2014 c 195: See notes following RCW 79.100.170 and 79.100.180.
Construction—Savings—1983 c 188: "Nothing contained in RCW 53.08.310 and 53.08.320 may be construed as a limitation of any rights, privileges, or remedies previously existing under any applicable laws of port districts, cities, towns, metropolitan park districts, or counties." [ 1983 c 188 § 3.]
Severability—1983 c 188: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1983 c 188 § 5.]
A moorage facility operator may adopt all rules necessary for rental and use of moorage facilities and for the expeditious collection of port charges. The rules may also establish procedures for the enforcement of these rules by port district, city, county, metropolitan park district or town personnel. The rules shall include the following:
(1) Procedures authorizing moorage facility personnel to take reasonable measures, including the use of chains, ropes, and locks, or removal from the water, to secure vessels within the moorage facility so that the vessels are in the possession and control of the moorage facility operator and cannot be removed from the moorage facility. These procedures may be used if an owner mooring or storing a vessel at the moorage facility fails, after being notified that charges are owing and of the owner's right to commence legal proceedings to contest that such charges are owing, to pay the port charges owed or to commence legal proceedings. Notification shall be by registered mail to the owner at his or her last known address. In the case of a transient vessel, or where no address was furnished by the owner, the moorage facility operator need not give such notice prior to securing the vessel. At the time of securing the vessel, an authorized moorage facility employee shall attach to the vessel a readily visible notice. The notice shall be of a reasonable size and shall contain the following information:
(b) A statement that if the account is not paid in full within ninety days from the time the notice is attached, the vessel may be sold at public auction to satisfy the port charges; and
(c) The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained concerning release of the vessel.
After a vessel is secured, the operator shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner by registered mail in order to give the owner the information contained in the notice.
(2) Procedures authorizing moorage facility personnel at their discretion to move moored vessels ashore for storage within properties under the operator's control or for storage with private persons under their control as bailees of the moorage facility, if the vessel is, in the opinion of port personnel a nuisance, if the vessel is in danger of sinking or creating other damage, or is owing port charges. Costs of any such procedure shall be paid by the vessel's owner. If the owner is not known, or unable to reimburse the moorage facility operator for the costs of these procedures, the mooring facility operators may seek reimbursement of ninety percent of all reasonable and auditable costs from the derelict vessel removal account established in RCW 79.100.100.
(3) If a vessel is secured under subsection (1) of this section or moved ashore under subsection (2) of this section, the owner who is obligated to the moorage facility operator for port charges may regain possession of the vessel by:
(a) Making arrangements satisfactory with the moorage facility operator for the immediate removal of the vessel from the moorage facility or for authorized moorage; and
(b) Making payment to the moorage facility operator of all port charges, or by posting with the moorage facility operator a sufficient cash bond or other acceptable security, to be held in trust by the moorage facility operator pending written agreement of the parties with respect to payment by the vessel owner of the amount owing, or pending resolution of the matter of the charges in a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction. After entry of judgment, including any appeals, in a court of competent jurisdiction, or after the parties reach agreement with respect to payment, the trust shall terminate and the moorage facility operator shall receive so much of the bond or other security as is agreed, or as is necessary to satisfy any judgment, costs, and interest as may be awarded to the moorage facility operator. The balance shall be refunded immediately to the owner at his or her last known address.
(4) If a vessel has been secured by the moorage facility operator under subsection (1) of this section and is not released to the owner under the bonding provisions of this section within ninety days after notifying or attempting to notify the owner under subsection (1) of this section, the vessel shall be conclusively presumed to have been abandoned by the owner.
(5) If a vessel moored or stored at a moorage facility is abandoned, the moorage facility operator may, by resolution of its legislative authority, authorize the public sale of the vessel by authorized personnel to the highest and best bidder for cash as prescribed by this subsection (5). Either a minimum bid may be established or a letter of credit may be required, or both, to discourage the future reabandonment of the vessel.
(a) Before the vessel is sold, the owner of the vessel shall be given at least twenty days' notice of the sale in the manner set forth in subsection (1) of this section if the name and address of the owner is known. The notice shall contain the time and place of the sale, a reasonable description of the vessel to be sold, and the amount of port charges owed with respect to the vessel. The notice of sale shall be published at least once, more than ten but not more than twenty days before the sale, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the moorage facility is located. Such notice shall include the name of the vessel, if any, the last known owner and address, and a reasonable description of the vessel to be sold. The moorage facility operator may bid all or part of its port charges at the sale and may become a purchaser at the sale.
(b) Before the vessel is sold, any person seeking to redeem an impounded vessel under this section may commence a lawsuit in the superior court for the county in which the vessel was impounded to contest the validity of the impoundment or the amount of the port charges owing. Such lawsuit must be commenced within ten days of the date the notification was provided pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, or the right to a hearing shall be deemed waived and the owner shall be liable for any port charges owing the moorage facility operator. In the event of litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
(c) The proceeds of a sale under this section shall first be applied to the payment of port charges. The balance, if any, shall be paid to the owner. If the owner cannot in the exercise of due diligence be located by the moorage facility operator within one year of the date of the sale, the excess funds from the sale shall revert to the derelict vessel removal account established in RCW 79.100.100. If the sale is for a sum less than the applicable port charges, the moorage facility operator is entitled to assert a claim for a deficiency.
(d) In the event no one purchases the vessel at a sale, or a vessel is not removed from the premises or other arrangements are not made within ten days of sale, title to the vessel will revert to the moorage facility operator.
(6) The rules authorized under this section shall be enforceable only if the moorage facility has had its tariff containing such rules conspicuously posted at its moorage facility at all times.
[ 2011 c 247 § 3; 2002 c 286 § 23; 1986 c 260 § 2; 1985 c 7 § 124; 1983 c 188 § 2.]
Severability—Construction—Savings—1983 c 188: See notes following RCW 53.08.310.
Any port district in this state, acting through its commission, may expend port funds toward construction, upgrading, improvement, or repair of any street, road, or highway that serves port facilities.
[ 1990 c 5 § 1.]
The funds authorized by RCW 53.08.330 may be expended by the port commission in conjunction with any plan of improvements undertaken by the state of Washington, an adjoining state, or a county or municipal government of either, in combination with any of said public entities, and without regard to whether expenditures are made for a road located within the state of Washington or an adjoining state.
[ 1990 c 5 § 2.]
(1) When a port district provides its own fire protection services with port district employees, and port district property is included as part of an annexation, incorporation, consolidation, or merger by a city, town, or fire protection district, and fire protection services for this port district property will be furnished by the city, town, or fire protection district, an eligible employee may transfer employment to the city, town, or fire protection district in the same manner and under the same conditions that a firefighter may transfer employment into a fire protection district pursuant to RCW 52.04.111, 52.04.121, and 52.04.131.
(2) "Eligible employee" means an employee of the port district who (a) was at the time of the annexation, merger, consolidation, or incorporation employed exclusively or principally in performing the powers, duties, and functions which are to be performed by the fire department of the city, town, or fire protection district, (b) will, as a direct consequence of the annexation, merger, consolidation, or incorporation, be separated from the employ of the port district, and (c) can perform the duties and meet the minimum requirements of the position to be filled.
[ 1994 c 74 § 2.]
Intent—1994 c 74: "The legislature recognizes that it passed comprehensive legislation in 1986 to provide protection to firefighters who risk losing their jobs as a result of an annexation, incorporation, merger, or consolidation by a city, town, or fire protection district. The legislation did not, however, grant these same protections to firefighters who are employed by port districts. It is the intent of the legislature that firefighters who are employed by port districts should have the same transfer rights as other local government firefighters in the event of an annexation, consolidation, merger, or incorporation by a city, town, or fire protection district." [ 1994 c 74 § 1.]
(1) A rural port district in existence on June 8, 2000, may construct, purchase, acquire, develop, finance, lease, license, handle, provide, add to, contract for, interconnect, alter, improve, repair, operate, and maintain any telecommunications facilities within or without the district's limits for the following purposes:
(a) For the district's own use; and
(b) For the provision of wholesale telecommunications services within the district's limits. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize rural port districts to provide telecommunications services to end users.
(2) A rural port district providing wholesale telecommunications services under this section shall ensure that rates, terms, and conditions for such services are not unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or preferential. Rates, terms, and conditions are discriminatory or preferential when a rural port district offering such rates, terms, and conditions to an entity for wholesale telecommunications services does not offer substantially similar rates, terms, and conditions to all other entities seeking substantially similar services.
(3) When a rural port district establishes a separate utility function for the provision of wholesale telecommunications services, it shall account for any and all revenues and expenditures related to its wholesale telecommunications facilities and services separately from revenues and expenditures related to its internal telecommunications operations. Any revenues received from the provision of wholesale telecommunications services must be dedicated to the utility function that includes the provision of wholesale telecommunications services for costs incurred to build and maintain the telecommunications facilities until such time as any bonds or other financing instruments executed after June 8, 2000, and used to finance the telecommunications facilities are discharged or retired.
(4) When a rural port district establishes a separate utility function for the provision of wholesale telecommunications services, all telecommunications services rendered by the separate function to the district for the district's internal telecommunications needs shall be charged at its true and full value. A rural port district may not charge its nontelecommunications operations rates that are preferential or discriminatory compared to those it charges entities purchasing wholesale telecommunications services.
(5) A rural port district shall not exercise powers of eminent domain to acquire telecommunications facilities or contractual rights held by any other person or entity to telecommunications facilities.
(6) Except as otherwise specifically provided, a rural port district may exercise any of the powers granted to it under this title and other applicable laws in carrying out the powers authorized under this section. Nothing in chapter 81, Laws of 2000 limits any existing authority of a rural port district under this title.
[ 2000 c 81 § 7.]
Findings—2000 c 81: See note following RCW 53.08.005.
(1) A person or entity that has requested wholesale telecommunications services from a rural port district may petition the commission under the procedures set forth in RCW 80.04.110 (1) through (3) if it believes the district's rates, terms, and conditions are unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or preferential. The person or entity shall provide the district notice of its intent to petition the commission and an opportunity to review within thirty days the rates, terms, and conditions as applied to it prior to submitting its petition. In determining whether a district is providing discriminatory or preferential rates, terms, and conditions, the commission may consider such matters as service quality, technical feasibility of connection points on the district's telecommunications facilities, time of response to service requests, system capacity, and other matters reasonably related to the provision of wholesale telecommunications services. If the commission, after notice and hearing, determines that a rural port district's rates, terms, and conditions are unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or preferential, it shall issue a final order finding noncompliance with this section and setting forth the specific areas of apparent noncompliance. An order imposed under this section shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) The commission may order a rural port district to pay a share of the costs incurred by the commission in adjudicating or enforcing this section.
(3) Without limiting other remedies at law or equity, the commission and prevailing party may also seek injunctive relief to compel compliance with an order.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the commission's authority and jurisdiction with respect to actions, proceedings, or orders permitted or contemplated for a state commission under the federal telecommunications act of 1996, P.L. 104-104 (110 Stat. 56).
[ 2000 c 81 § 9.]
A countywide port district located in part or in whole within the Grays Harbor pilotage district, as defined by RCW 88.16.050(2), may commence pilotage service with the following powers and subject to the conditions contained in this section.
(1) Persons employed to perform the pilotage service of a port district must be licensed under chapter 88.16 RCW to provide pilotage.
(2) Before establishing pilotage service, a port district shall give at least sixty days' written notice to the chair of the board of pilotage commissioners to provide pilotage.
(3) A port district providing pilotage service under this section requiring additional pilots may petition the board of pilotage commissioners to qualify and license as a pilot a person who has passed the examination and is on the waiting list for the training program for the district. If there are no persons on the waiting list, the board shall solicit applicants and offer the examination.
(4) In addition to the power to employ or contract with pilots, a port district providing pilotage services under this section has such other powers as are reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose of this section including, but not limited to, providing through ownership or contract pilots launches, dispatcher services, or ancillary tug services required for operations or safety.
(5) A port district providing pilotage services under this section may recommend to the board of pilotage commissioners rules of service, rates, and tariffs governing its pilotage services for consideration and adoption pursuant to RCW 88.16.035. The rules, rates, and tariffs recommended by the port district must have been approved in open meetings of the port district ten or more days after published notice in a newspaper of general circulation and after mailing a copy of the notice to the chair of the board of pilotage commissioners.
(6) A pilot providing pilotage services under this section must comply with all requirements of the pilotage act, chapter 88.16 RCW, and all rules adopted thereunder.
[ 2010 c 8 § 16003; 2001 2nd sp.s. c 22 § 1.]
Construction—2001 2nd sp.s. c 22: "Nothing in this act is intended to amend chapter 88.16 RCW." [ 2001 2nd sp.s. c 22 § 3.]
Effective date—2001 2nd sp.s. c 22: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [July 13, 2001]." [ 2001 2nd sp.s. c 22 § 4.]
A port district may enter into a contract with any city, town, or county for the purpose of exercising any powers of a community renewal agency under chapter 35.81 RCW.
[ 2002 c 218 § 27.]
A port district has the authority, subject to the processes and limitation outlined in chapter 79.100 RCW, to store, strip, use, auction, sell, salvage, scrap, or dispose of an abandoned or derelict vessel found on or above publicly or privately owned aquatic lands within the jurisdiction of the port district.
[ 2002 c 286 § 18.]
In addition to the authority provided in this chapter, a port district may participate in and expend revenue on cooperative watershed management actions, including watershed management partnerships under RCW 39.34.210 and other intergovernmental agreements, for purposes of water supply, water quality, and water resource and habitat protection and management.
[ 2003 c 327 § 16.]
By January 1, 2010, each port with more than ten million dollars in annual gross revenues, excluding grant and loan funds, shall maintain a database on a public web site of all contracts, including public works and personal services. At a minimum, the database shall identify the contractor, the purpose of the contract, effective dates and periods of performance, the cost of the contract and funding source, any modifications to the contract, and whether the contract was competitively procured or awarded on a sole source basis.
[ 2008 c 130 § 3.]
(1) If a port district purchases property for a facility outside the port's jurisdiction, the port district or districts with responsibility for the future property development and use must prepare and implement a communication plan within sixty days after contracting with a site planning consultant. The communication plan must be reasonably calculated to provide property owners and other affected and interested individuals information for review and comment. The plan shall be made available through the planning and predesign phase. The communication plan shall include information about:
(a) The type and scale of proposed uses on the site;
(b) The type and scale of business and industrial activities that the development is likely to later attract to the site and to the nearby area;
(c) The general character and scope of potential impacts on air and water quality, noise, and local and state transportation infrastructure, including state highways, local roads, rail, and shipping.
(2) Information included in the communication plan under subsection (1) of this section may be made available by means of web pages, office inspection and copying of materials, one or more property tours, and public meetings that allow interested citizens to comment to port officials on several occasions over time as the development plans evolve.
(3) Environmental mitigation, habitat restoration, and dredged material disposal projects are exempt from the requirements of this section.
[ 2008 c 130 § 4.]
(1) Prior to transferring ownership of a vessel owned by a port district and used primarily to conduct port business, the port district shall conduct a thorough review of the physical condition of the vessel, the vessel's operating capability, and any containers and other materials that are not fixed to the vessel.
(2) If the port district determines that the vessel is in a state of advanced deterioration or poses a reasonably imminent threat to human health or safety, including a threat of environmental contamination, the port district may: (a) Not transfer the vessel until the conditions identified under this subsection have been corrected; or (b) permanently dispose of the vessel by landfill, deconstruction, or other related method.
(3) Vessels taken into custody under chapter 79.100 RCW are not subject to this section or RCW 53.08.470.
[ 2013 c 291 § 21.]
(1) Following the inspection required under RCW 53.08.460 and prior to transferring ownership of a port district-owned vessel, a port district shall obtain the following from the transferee:
(b) Information demonstrating the prospective owner's intent to obtain legal moorage following the transfer, in the manner determined by the port district.
(2)(a) The port district shall remove any containers or other materials that are not fixed to the vessel and contain hazardous substances, as defined under RCW 70.105D.020.
(b) However, the port district may transfer a vessel with:
(i) Those containers or materials described under (a) of this subsection where the transferee demonstrates to the port district's satisfaction that the container's or material's presence is consistent with the anticipated use of the vessel; and
(ii) A reasonable amount of fuel as determined by the port district, based on factors including the vessel's size, condition, and anticipated use of the vessel including initial destination following transfer.
(c) The port district may consult with the department of ecology in carrying out the requirements of this subsection.
(3) Prior to sale, and unless the vessel has a title or valid marine document, the port district is required to apply for a certificate of title for the vessel under RCW 88.02.510 and register the vessel under RCW 88.02.550.
[ 2013 c 291 § 22.]
(1) Every moorage facility operator must:
(a) Obtain and maintain insurance coverage for the moorage facility;
(b) Require, as a condition of moorage, all vessels other than transient vessels to provide proof of marine insurance to the moorage facility.
(2) Unless rules adopted by the department of natural resources require otherwise, insurance maintained by moorage facility operators and required of moored vessels must:
(a) Provide coverage at liability limits of at least three hundred thousand dollars per occurrence; and
(b) Include, at a minimum, general, legal, and pollution liability coverage.
(3) The purchaser of marine insurance under this section may satisfy the requirements of this section through the purchase of multiple policies as necessary.
(4) The requirement under this section for moorage facility operators to require proof of marine insurance from mooring vessels applies whenever a moorage facility operator enters an initial or renewal moorage agreement after June 12, 2014. The moorage facility operator is not required to verify independently whether a mooring vessel's insurance policy meets the requirements of this section and is not responsible for any change in insurance coverage applicable to the vessel that occurs after the initial agreement is entered into or in the time period between agreement renewals.
(5) Any moorage facility operator that the department has determined has failed to satisfy the requirements of this section is not eligible for reimbursement from the derelict vessel removal account under RCW 79.100.100.
[ 2014 c 195 § 203.]