reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.056 - Increase in number of commissioners—Appointments—Election—Terms.

RCW 70.44.056
Increase in number of commissioners—Appointments—Election—Terms.
In all existing public hospital districts in which an increase in the number of district commissioners is proposed, the additional commissioner positions shall be deemed to be vacant and the board of commissioners of the public hospital district shall appoint qualified persons to fill those vacancies in accordance with RCW 42.12.080.
Each person who is appointed shall serve until a qualified person is elected at the next general election of the district occurring one hundred twenty days or more after the date of the election at which the voters of the district approved the ballot proposition authorizing the increase in the number of commissioners. If needed, special filing periods shall be authorized as provided in RCW 29A.24.171 and 29A.24.181 for qualified persons to file for the vacant office. A primary shall be held to nominate candidates if sufficient time exists to hold a primary and more than two candidates file for the vacant office. Otherwise, no primary shall be held and the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each position shall be elected. Except for the initial terms of office, persons elected to each of these additional commissioner positions shall be elected to a six-year term. The newly elected commissioners shall assume office as provided in RCW 29A.60.280.
The initial terms of the new commissioners shall be staggered as follows: (1) When the number of commissioners is increased from three to five, the person elected receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected to a six-year term of office, and the other person shall be elected to a four-year term; (2) when the number of commissioners is increased from three or five to seven, the terms of the new commissioners shall be staggered over the next three district general elections so that two commissioners will be elected at the first district general election following the election where the additional commissioners are elected, two commissioners will be at the second district general election after the election of the additional commissioners, and three commissioners will be elected at the third district general election following the election of the additional commissioners, with the persons elected receiving the greatest number of votes elected to serve the longest terms.
[ 2023 c 369 § 4; 2015 c 53 § 94; 1997 c 99 § 5.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1997 c 99: See note following RCW 70.44.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.059 - Chaplains—Authority to employ.

RCW 70.44.059
Chaplains—Authority to employ.
Public hospital districts may employ chaplains for their hospitals, health care facilities, and hospice programs.
[ 1993 c 234 § 1.]
NOTES:
Contingent effective date—1993 c 234: "This act shall take effect on January 1, 1994, if the proposed amendment to Article I, section 11 of the state Constitution authorizing the legislature to permit public hospital districts to employ chaplains is validly submitted to and is approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election held. If the proposed amendment is not so approved and ratified, this act is void in its entirety." [ 1993 c 234 § 2.] House Joint Resolution No. 4200 was approved by the voters on November 2, 1993.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.062 - Commissioners' meetings, proceedings, and deliberations concerning health care providers' clinical or staff privileges to be confidential—Final action in public session.

RCW 70.44.062
Commissioners' meetings, proceedings, and deliberations concerning health care providers' clinical or staff privileges to be confidential—Final action in public session.
(1) All meetings, proceedings, and deliberations of the board of commissioners, its staff or agents, concerning the granting, denial, revocation, restriction, or other consideration of the status of the clinical or staff privileges of a physician or other health care provider as that term is defined in RCW 7.70.020, if such other providers at the discretion of the district's commissioners are considered for such privileges, shall be confidential and may be conducted in executive session: PROVIDED, That the final action of the board as to the denial, revocation, or restriction of clinical or staff privileges of a physician or other health care provider as defined in RCW 7.70.020 shall be done in public session.
(2) All meetings, proceedings, and deliberations of a quality improvement committee established under RCW 4.24.250, 43.70.510, or 70.41.200 and all meetings, proceedings, and deliberations of the board of commissioners, its staff or agents, to review the report or the activities of a quality improvement committee established under RCW 4.24.250, 43.70.510, or 70.41.200 may, at the discretion of the quality improvement committee or the board of commissioners, be confidential and may be conducted in executive session. Any review conducted by the board of commissioners or quality improvement committee, or their staffs or agents, shall be subject to the same protections, limitations, and exemptions that apply to quality improvement committee activities under RCW 4.24.240, 4.24.250, 43.70.510, and 70.41.200. However, any final action of the board of commissioners on the report of the quality improvement committee shall be done in public session.
[ 2005 c 169 § 1; 1985 c 166 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.067 - Community revitalization financing—Public improvements.

RCW 70.44.067
Community revitalization financing—Public improvements.
In addition to other authority that a public hospital district possesses, a public hospital 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 public hospital district to otherwise participate in the public improvements if that authority exists elsewhere.
[ 2001 c 212 § 22.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.070 - Superintendent—Appointment—Removal—Compensation.

RCW 70.44.070
Superintendent—Appointment—Removal—Compensation.
(1) The public hospital district commission shall appoint a superintendent, who shall be appointed for an indefinite time and be removable at the will of the commission. Appointments and removals shall be by resolution, introduced at a regular meeting and adopted at the same or a subsequent regular meeting by a majority vote. The superintendent shall receive such compensation as the commission shall fix by resolution.
(2) Where a public hospital district operates more than one hospital, the commission may in its discretion appoint up to one superintendent per hospital and assign among the superintendents the powers and duties set forth in RCW 70.44.080 and 70.44.090 as deemed appropriate by the commission.
[ 2018 c 134 § 2; 1987 c 58 § 1; 1982 c 84 § 16; 1945 c 264 § 7; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6090-36.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.080 - Superintendent—Powers.

RCW 70.44.080
Superintendent—Powers.
(1) The superintendent shall be the chief administrative officer of the public district hospital and shall have control of administrative functions of the district. The superintendent shall be responsible to the commission for the efficient administration of all affairs of the district. In case of the absence or temporary disability of the superintendent a competent person shall be appointed by the commission. The superintendent shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the commission and its committees and to take part in the discussion of any matters pertaining to the district, but shall have no vote.
(2) Where the commission has appointed more than one superintendent as provided in RCW 70.44.070, the commission shall assign among the superintendents the powers set forth in this section as deemed appropriate by the commission.
[ 1987 c 58 § 2; 1982 c 84 § 17; 1945 c 264 § 9; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6090-38.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.090 - Superintendent—Duties.

RCW 70.44.090
Superintendent—Duties.
(1) The public hospital district superintendent shall have the power, and duty:
(a) To carry out the orders of the commission, and to see that all the laws of the state pertaining to matters within the functions of the district are duly enforced.
(b) To keep the commission fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the district. To prepare, each year, an estimate for the ensuing fiscal year of the probable expenses of the district, and to recommend to the commission what development work should be undertaken, and what extensions and additions, if any, should be made, during the ensuing fiscal year, with an estimate of the costs of such development work, extensions and additions. To certify to the commission all the bills, allowances and payrolls, including claims due contractors of public works. To recommend to the commission a range of salaries to be paid to district employees.
(2) Where the commission has appointed more than one superintendent as provided in RCW 70.44.070, the commission shall assign among the superintendents the duties set forth in this section as deemed appropriate by the commission.
[ 1987 c 58 § 3; 1982 c 84 § 18; 1945 c 264 § 11; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6090-40.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.110 - Plan to construct or improve—General obligation bonds.

RCW 70.44.110
Plan to construct or improve—General obligation bonds.
Whenever the commission deems it advisable that the district acquire or construct a public hospital, or other health care facilities, or make additions or betterments thereto, or extensions thereof, it shall provide therefor by resolution, which shall specify and adopt the plan proposed, declare the estimated cost thereof, and specify the amount of indebtedness to be incurred therefor. General indebtedness may be incurred by the issuance of general obligation bonds or short-term obligations in anticipation of such bonds. General obligation bonds shall mature in not to exceed thirty years. The incurring of such indebtedness shall be subject to the applicable limitations and requirements provided in section 1, chapter 143, Laws of 1917, as last amended by section 4, chapter 107, Laws of 1967, and RCW 39.36.020, as now or hereafter amended. Such general obligation bonds shall be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW.
[ 1984 c 186 § 60; 1974 ex.s. c 165 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 65 § 2; 1955 c 56 § 1; 1945 c 264 § 12; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6090-41.]
NOTES:
Purpose—1984 c 186: See note following RCW 39.46.110.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.130 - Bonds—Payment—Security for deposits.

RCW 70.44.130
Bonds—Payment—Security for deposits.
The principal and interest of such general bonds shall be paid by levying each year a tax upon the taxable property within the district sufficient, together with other revenues of the district available for such purpose, to pay said interest and principal of said bonds, which tax shall be due and collectible as any other tax. All bonds and warrants issued under the authority of this chapter shall be legal securities, which may be used by any bank or trust company for deposit with the state treasurer, or any county or city treasurer, as security for deposits, in lieu of a surety bond, under any law relating to deposits of public moneys.
[ 1984 c 186 § 61; 1971 ex.s. c 218 § 3; 1945 c 264 § 14; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6090-43.]
NOTES:
Purpose—1984 c 186: See note following RCW 39.46.110.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.171 - Treasurer—Duties—Funds—Depositaries—Surety bonds, cost.

RCW 70.44.171
Treasurer—Duties—Funds—Depositaries—Surety bonds, cost.
The treasurer of the county in which a public hospital district is located shall be treasurer of the district, except that the commission by resolution may designate some other person having experience in financial or fiscal matters as treasurer of the district. If the treasurer is not the county treasurer, the commission shall require a bond, with a surety company authorized to do business in the state of Washington, in an amount and under the terms and conditions which the commission by resolution from time to time finds will protect the district against loss. The premium on any such bond shall be paid by the district.
All district funds shall be paid to the treasurer and shall be disbursed by him or her only on warrants issued by an auditor appointed by the commission, upon orders or vouchers approved by it. The treasurer shall establish a public hospital district fund, into which shall be paid all district funds, and he or she shall maintain such special funds as may be created by the commission, into which he or she shall place all money as the commission may, by resolution, direct.
If the treasurer of the district is the treasurer of the county all district funds shall be deposited with the county depositaries under the same restrictions, contracts, and security as provided for county depositaries. If the treasurer of the district is some other person, all funds shall be deposited in such bank or banks authorized to do business in this state as the commission by resolution shall designate, and with surety bond to the district or securities in lieu thereof of the kind, no less in amount, as provided in *RCW 36.48.020 for deposit of county funds. Such surety bond or securities in lieu thereof shall be filed or deposited with the treasurer of the district, and approved by resolution of the commission.
All interest collected on district funds shall belong to the district and be deposited to its credit in the proper district funds.
A district may provide and require a reasonable bond of any other person handling moneys or securities of the district. The district may pay the premium on such bond.
[ 2012 c 117 § 379; 1967 c 227 § 1.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 36.48.020 was repealed by 1984 c 177 § 21.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.185 - Change of district boundary lines to allow farm units to be wholly within one hospital district—Notice.

RCW 70.44.185
Change of district boundary lines to allow farm units to be wholly within one hospital district—Notice.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including RCW 70.44.040, whenever the boundary line between contiguous hospital districts bisects an irrigation block unit placing part of the unit in one hospital district and the balance thereof in another such district, the county auditor, upon his or her approval of a request therefor after public hearing thereon, shall change the hospital district boundary lines so that the entire farm unit of the person so requesting shall be wholly in one of such hospital districts and give notice thereof to those hospital district and county officials as he or she shall deem appropriate therefor.
[ 2012 c 117 § 380; 1971 ex.s. c 218 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.190 - Consolidation of districts.

RCW 70.44.190
Consolidation of districts.
Two or more contiguous hospital districts, whether the territory therein lies in one or more counties, may consolidate by following the procedure outlined in chapter 35.10 RCW with reference to consolidation of cities and towns.
[ 1953 c 267 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.210 - Alternate method of annexation—Contents of resolution calling for election.

RCW 70.44.210
Alternate method of annexation—Contents of resolution calling for election.
As an alternate method of annexation to public hospital districts, any territory adjacent to a public hospital district may be annexed thereto by vote of the qualified electors residing in the territory to be annexed, in the manner provided in RCW 70.44.210 through 70.44.230. An election to annex such territory may be called pursuant to a resolution calling for such an election adopted by the district commissioners.
Any resolution calling for such an election shall describe the boundaries of the territory to be annexed, state that the annexation of such territory to the public hospital district will be conducive to the welfare and benefit of the persons or property within the district and within the territory proposed to be annexed, and fix the date, time and place for a public hearing thereon which date shall be not more than sixty nor less than forty days following the adoption of such resolution.
[ 1967 c 227 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.220 - Alternate method of annexation—Publication and contents of notice of hearing—Hearing—Resolution—Special election.

RCW 70.44.220
Alternate method of annexation—Publication and contents of notice of hearing—Hearing—Resolution—Special election.
Notice of such hearing shall be published once a week for at least two consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the territory proposed to be annexed. The notice shall contain a description of the boundaries of the territory proposed to be annexed and shall state the time and place of the hearing thereon and the fact that any changes in the boundaries of such territory will be considered at such time and place. At such hearing or any continuation thereof, any interested person may appear and be heard on all matters relating to the proposed annexation. The district commissioners may make such changes in the boundaries of the territory proposed to be annexed as it shall deem reasonable and proper, but may not delete any portion of the proposed area which will create an island of included or excluded lands. If the district commissioners shall determine that any additional territory should be included in the territory to be annexed, a second hearing shall be held and notice given in the same manner as for the original hearing. The district commissioners may adjourn the hearing on the proposed annexation from time to time not exceeding thirty days in all. At the next regular meeting following the conclusion of such hearing, the district commissioners shall, if it finds that the annexation of such territory will be conducive to the welfare and benefit of the persons and property therein and the welfare and benefit of the persons and property within the public hospital district, adopt a resolution fixing the boundaries of the territory to be annexed and causing to be called a special election on such annexation to be held not more than one hundred twenty days nor less than sixty days following the adoption of such resolution.
[ 1967 c 227 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.230 - Alternate method of annexation—Conduct and canvass of election—Notice—Ballot.

RCW 70.44.230
Alternate method of annexation—Conduct and canvass of election—Notice—Ballot.
An election on the annexation of territory to a public hospital district shall be conducted and canvassed in the same manner as provided for the conduct of an election on the formation of a public hospital district except that notice of such election shall be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the territory proposed to be annexed and the ballot proposition shall be in substantially the following form:
ANNEXATION TO (herein insert name of public hospital district)
"Shall the territory described in a resolution of the public hospital district commissioners of (here insert name of public hospital district) adopted on . . . ., . . . . . ., 19. . . [. . . . (year)], be annexed to such district?
YES . . . .
□
NO . . . .
□"
If a majority of those voting on such proposition vote in favor thereof, the territory shall thereupon be annexed to the public hospital district.
[ 1967 c 227 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.240 - Contracting or joining with other districts, hospitals, corporations, or individuals to provide services or facilities.

RCW 70.44.240
Contracting or joining with other districts, hospitals, corporations, or individuals to provide services or facilities.
Any public hospital district may contract or join with any other public hospital district, publicly owned hospital, nonprofit hospital, legal entity, or individual to acquire, own, operate, manage, or provide any hospital or other health care facilities or hospital services or other health care services to be used by individuals, districts, hospitals, or others, including providing health maintenance services. If a public hospital district chooses to contract or join with another party or parties pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, it may do so through establishing a nonprofit corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity of its choosing in which the public hospital district and the other party or parties participate. The governing body of such legal entity shall include representatives of the public hospital district, which representatives may include members of the public hospital district's board of commissioners. A public hospital district contracting or joining with another party pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may appropriate funds and may sell, lease, or otherwise provide property, personnel, and services to the legal entity established to carry out the contract or joint activity.
[ 2004 c 261 § 7; 1997 c 332 § 16; 1982 c 84 § 19; 1974 ex.s. c 165 § 4; 1967 c 227 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.260 - Contracts for purchase of real or personal property.

RCW 70.44.260
Contracts for purchase of real or personal property.
Any public hospital district may execute an executory conditional sales contract with any other municipal corporation, the state, or any of its political subdivisions, the government of the United States, or any private party for the purchase of any real or personal property, or property rights, in connection with the exercise of any powers or duties which such districts now or hereafter are authorized to exercise, if the entire amount of the purchase price specified in such contract does not result in a total indebtedness in excess of the limitation imposed by RCW 39.36.020, as now or hereafter amended, to be incurred without the assent of the voters of the district: PROVIDED, That if such a proposed contract would result in a total indebtedness in excess of three-fourths of one percent of the value of taxable property in such public hospital district, a proposition in regard to whether or not such a contract may be executed shall be submitted to the voters for approval or rejection in the same manner that bond issues for capital purposes are submitted to the voters. The term "value of taxable property" shall have the meaning set forth in RCW 39.36.015.
[1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 78 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.300 - Sale of surplus real property.

RCW 70.44.300
Sale of surplus real property.
(1) The board of commissioners of any public hospital district may sell and convey at public or private sale real property of the district if the board determines by resolution that the property is no longer required for public hospital district purposes or determines by resolution that the sale of the property will further the purposes of the public hospital district.
(2) Any sale of district real property authorized pursuant to this section shall be preceded, not more than one year prior to the date of sale, by market value appraisals by three licensed real estate brokers or professionally designated real estate appraisers as defined in *RCW 74.46.020 or three independent experts in valuing health care property, selected by the board of commissioners, and no sale shall take place if the sale price would be less than ninety percent of the average of such appraisals.
(3) When the board of commissioners of any public hospital district proposes a sale of district real property pursuant to this section and the value of the property exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, the board shall publish a notice of its intention to sell the property. The notice shall be published at least once each week during two consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper of general circulation within the public hospital district. The notice shall describe the property to be sold and designate the place where and the day and hour when a hearing will be held. The board shall hold a public hearing upon the proposal to dispose of the public hospital district property at the place and the day and hour fixed in the notice and consider evidence offered for and against the propriety and advisability of the proposed sale.
(4) If in the judgment of the board of commissioners of any district the sale of any district real property not needed for public hospital district purposes would be facilitated and greater value realized through use of the services of licensed real estate brokers, a contract for such services may be negotiated and concluded. The fee or commissions charged for any broker service shall not exceed seven percent of the resulting sale price for a single parcel. No licensed real estate broker or professionally designated real estate appraisers as defined in *RCW 74.46.020 or independent expert in valuing health care property selected by the board to appraise the market value of a parcel of property to be sold may be a party to any contract with the public hospital district to sell such property for a period of three years after the appraisal.
[ 1997 c 332 § 17; 1984 c 103 § 4; 1982 c 84 § 2.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 74.46.020 was amended by 2010 1st sp.s. c 34 § 2, deleting the definition of "professionally designated real estate appraiser."
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.310 - Lease of surplus real property.

RCW 70.44.310
Lease of surplus real property.
The board of commissioners of any public hospital district may lease or rent out real property of the district which the board has determined by resolution presently is not required for public hospital district purposes in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as the board in its discretion finds to be in the best interest of the district.
[ 1982 c 84 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.320 - Disposal of surplus personal property.

RCW 70.44.320
Disposal of surplus personal property.
The board of commissioners of any public hospital district may sell or otherwise dispose of surplus personal property of the district which the board has determined by resolution is no longer required for public hospital district purposes in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as the board in its discretion finds to be in the best interest of the district.
[ 1982 c 84 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.350 - Dividing a district.

RCW 70.44.350
Dividing a district.
An existing public hospital district upon resolution of its board of commissioners may be divided into two new public hospital districts, in the manner provided in RCW 70.44.350 through 70.44.380, subject to the approval of the plan therefor by the superior court in the county where such district is located and by a majority of the voters voting on the proposition for such approval at a special election to be held in each of the proposed new districts. The board of commissioners of an existing district shall by resolution or resolutions find that such division is in the public interest; adopt and approve a plan of division; authorize the filing of a petition in the superior court in the county in which the district is located to obtain court approval of the plan of division; request the calling of a special election to be held, following such court approval, for the purpose of submitting to the voters in each of the proposed new districts the proposition of whether the plan of division should be approved and carried out; and direct all officers and employees of the existing district to take whatever actions are reasonable and necessary in order to carry out the division, subject to the approval of the plan therefor by the court and the voters.
[ 1982 c 84 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.360 - Dividing a district—Plan.

RCW 70.44.360
Dividing a district—Plan.
The plan of division authorized by RCW 70.44.350 shall include: Proposed names for the new districts; a description of the boundaries of the new districts, which boundaries shall follow insofar as reasonably possible the then-existing precinct boundaries and include all of the territory encompassed by the existing district; a division of all the assets of the existing district between the resulting new districts, including funds, rights, and property, both real and personal; the assumption of all the outstanding obligations of the existing district by the resulting new districts, including general obligation and revenue bonds, contracts, and any other liabilities or indebtedness; the establishing and constituting of new boards of three commissioners for each of the new districts, including fixing the boundaries of commissioner districts within such new districts following insofar as reasonably possible the then-existing precinct boundaries; and such other matters as the board of commissioners of the existing district may deem appropriate. Unless the plan of division provides otherwise, all the area and property of the existing district shall remain subject to the outstanding obligations of that district, and the boards of commissioners of the new districts shall make such levies or charges for services as may be necessary to pay such outstanding obligations in accordance with their terms from the sources originally pledged or otherwise liable for that purpose.
[ 1982 c 84 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.370 - Dividing a district—Petition to court, hearing, order.

RCW 70.44.370
Dividing a district—Petition to court, hearing, order.
After adoption of a resolution approving the plan of division by the board of commissioners of an existing district pursuant to RCW 70.44.350 through 70.44.380, the district shall petition the superior court in the county where such district is located requesting court approval of the plan. The court shall conduct a hearing on the plan of division, after reasonable and proper notice of such hearing (including notice to bondholders) is given in the manner fixed and directed by such court. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court may enter its order approving the division of the existing district and of its assets and outstanding obligations in the manner provided by the plan after finding such division to be fair and equitable and in the public interest.
[ 1982 c 84 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.380 - Dividing a district—Election—Creation of new districts—Challenges.

RCW 70.44.380
Dividing a district—Election—Creation of new districts—Challenges.
Following the entry of the court order pursuant to RCW 70.44.370, the county officer authorized to call and conduct elections in the county in which the existing district is located shall call a special election as provided by the resolution of the board of commissioners of such district for the purpose of submitting to the voters in each of the proposed new districts the proposition of whether the plan of division should be approved and carried out. Notice of the election describing the boundaries of the proposed new districts and stating the objects of the election shall be given and the election conducted in accordance with the general election laws. The proposition expressed on the ballots at such election shall be substantially as follows:
"Shall the plan of division of public hospital district No. . . . ., approved by the Superior Court on . . . . . . (insert date), be approved and carried out?
Yes □
No □"
At such election three commissioners for each of the proposed new districts nominated by petition pursuant to RCW 54.12.010 shall be elected to hold office pursuant to RCW 70.44.040. If at such election a majority of the voters voting on the proposition in each of the proposed new districts shall vote in favor of the plan of division, the county canvassing board shall so declare in its canvass of the returns of such election and upon the filing of the certificate of such canvass: The division of the existing district shall be effective; such original district shall cease to exist; the creation of the two new public hospital districts shall be complete; all assets of the original district shall vest in and become the property of the new districts, respectively, pursuant to the plan of division; all the outstanding obligations of the original district shall be assumed by the new districts, respectively, pursuant to such plan; the commissioners of the original district shall cease to hold office; and the affairs of the new districts shall be governed by the newly elected commissioners of such respective new districts. Unless commenced within thirty days after the date of the filing of the certificate of the canvass of such election, no lawsuit whatever may be maintained challenging in any way the legal existence of the resulting new districts, the validity of the proceedings had for the organization and creation thereof, or the lawfulness of the plan of division. Upon the petition of either or both new districts, the superior court in the county where they are located may take whatever actions are reasonable and necessary to complete or confirm the carrying out of such plan.
[ 1982 c 84 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.400 - Withdrawal of territory from public hospital district.

RCW 70.44.400
Withdrawal of territory from public hospital district.
Territory within a public hospital district may be withdrawn therefrom in the same manner provided by law for withdrawal of territory from water-sewer districts, as provided by chapter 57.28 RCW. For purposes of conforming with such procedure, the public hospital district shall be deemed to be the water-sewer district and the public hospital board of commissioners shall be deemed to be the water-sewer district board of commissioners.
[ 1999 c 153 § 65; 1984 c 100 § 1.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.450 - Rural public hospital districts—Cooperative agreements and contracts.

RCW 70.44.450
Rural public hospital districts—Cooperative agreements and contracts.
In addition to other powers granted to public hospital districts by chapter 39.34 RCW, rural public hospital districts may enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with other rural public hospital districts in order to provide for the health care needs of the people served by the hospital districts. These agreements and contracts are specifically authorized to include:
(1) Allocation of health care services among the different facilities owned and operated by the districts;
(2) Combined purchases and allocations of medical equipment and technologies;
(3) Joint agreements and contracts for health care service delivery and payment with public and private entities; and
(4) Other cooperative arrangements consistent with the intent of chapter 161, Laws of 1992. The provisions of chapter 39.34 RCW shall apply to the development and implementation of the cooperative contracts and agreements.
[ 1992 c 161 § 3.]
NOTES:
Intent—1992 c 161: "The legislature finds that maintaining the viability of health care service delivery in rural areas of Washington is a primary goal of state health policy. The legislature also finds that most hospitals located in rural Washington are operated by public hospital districts authorized under chapter 70.44 RCW and declares that it is not cost-effective, practical, or desirable to provide quality health and hospital care services in rural areas on a competitive basis because of limited patient volume and geographic isolation. It is the intent of this act to foster the development of cooperative and collaborative arrangements among rural public hospital districts by specifically authorizing cooperative agreements and contracts for these entities under the interlocal cooperation act." [ 1992 c 161 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.460 - Rural public hospital district defined.

RCW 70.44.460
Rural public hospital district defined.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definition in this section applies throughout RCW 70.44.450.
"Rural public hospital district" means a public hospital district authorized under chapter 70.44 RCW whose geographic boundaries do not include a city with a population greater than fifty thousand.
[ 2011 c 95 § 1; 1992 c 161 § 2.]
NOTES:
Intent—1992 c 161: See note following RCW 70.44.450.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.470 - Chapter not applicable to certain transfers of property.

RCW 70.44.470
Chapter not applicable to certain transfers of property.
This chapter does not apply to transfers of property under *sections 1 and 2 of this act.
[ 2006 c 35 § 9.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: The reference to "sections 1 and 2 of this act" appears to be erroneous. Reference to "sections 2 and 3 of this act" codified as RCW 43.99C.070 and 43.83D.120 was apparently intended. RCW 43.99C.070 and 43.83D.120 were recodified as RCW 43.83.400 and 43.83.410, respectively, by the code reviser September 2015.
Findings—2006 c 35: See note following RCW 43.83.400.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.900 - Severability—Construction—1945 c 264.

RCW 70.44.900
Severability—Construction—1945 c 264.
Adjudication of invalidity of any section, clause or part of a section of this act [1945 c 264] shall not impair or otherwise affect the validity of the act as a whole or any other part thereof. The rule of strict construction shall have no application to this act, but the same shall be liberally construed, in order to carry out the purposes and objects for which this act is intended. When this act comes in conflict with any provisions, limitation or restriction in any other law, this act shall govern and control.
[ 1945 c 264 § 21; no RRS.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.901 - Severability—Construction—1974 ex.s. c 165.

RCW 70.44.901
Severability—Construction—1974 ex.s. c 165.
If any section, clause, or other provision of this 1974 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of such 1974 amendatory act, or the application of such section, clause, or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected. The rule of strict construction shall have no application to this 1974 amendatory act, but the same shall be liberally construed, in order to carry out the purposes and objects for which this 1974 amendatory act is intended. When this 1974 amendatory act comes in conflict with any provision, limitation, or restriction in any other law, this 1974 amendatory act shall govern and control.
[ 1974 ex.s. c 165 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.903 - Savings—1982 c 84.

RCW 70.44.903
Savings—1982 c 84.
All debts, contracts, and obligations made or incurred prior to June 10, 1982, by or in favor of any public hospital district, and all bonds, warrants, or other obligations issued by such district, and all other actions and proceedings relating thereto done or taken by such public hospital districts or by their respective officers within their authority are hereby declared to be legal and valid and of full force and effect from the date thereof.
[ 1982 c 84 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.910 - Construction—1945 c 264.

RCW 70.44.910
Construction—1945 c 264.
This act [1945 c 264 § 22] shall not be deemed or construed to repeal or affect any existing act, or any part thereof, relating to the construction, operation and maintenance of public hospitals, but shall be supplemental thereto and concurrent therewith.
[ 1945 c 264 § 22; no RRS.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.45 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Hospitals. › 70.45.010 - Legislative findings.

RCW 70.45.010
Legislative findings.
The health of the people of our state is a most important public concern. The state has an interest in assuring the continued existence of accessible, affordable health care facilities that are responsive to the needs of the communities in which they exist. The state also has a responsibility to protect the public interest in nonprofit hospitals and to clarify the responsibilities of local public hospital district boards with respect to public hospital district assets by making certain that the charitable and public assets of those hospitals are managed prudently and safeguarded consistent with their mission under the laws governing nonprofit and municipal corporations.
[ 1997 c 332 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.45 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Hospitals. › 70.45.020 - Definitions.

RCW 70.45.020
Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the Washington state department of health.
(2) "Hospital" means any entity that is: (a) Defined as a hospital in RCW 70.41.020 and is required to obtain a license under RCW 70.41.090; or (b) a psychiatric hospital required to obtain a license under chapter 71.12 RCW.
(3) "Acquisition" means an acquisition by a person of an interest in a nonprofit hospital, whether by purchase, merger, lease, gift, joint venture, or otherwise, that results in a change of ownership or control of twenty percent or more of the assets of the hospital, or that results in the acquiring person holding or controlling fifty percent or more of the assets of the hospital, but acquisition does not include an acquisition if the acquiring person: (a) Is a nonprofit corporation having a substantially similar charitable health care purpose as the nonprofit corporation from whom the hospital is being acquired, or is a government entity; (b) is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code or as a government entity; and (c) will maintain representation from the affected community on the local board of the hospital.
(4) "Nonprofit hospital" means a hospital owned by a nonprofit corporation organized under Title 24 RCW.
(5) "Person" means an individual, a trust or estate, a partnership, a corporation including associations, limited liability companies, joint stock companies, and insurance companies.
[ 1997 c 332 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.45 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Hospitals. › 70.45.030 - Department approval required—Application—Fees.

RCW 70.45.030
Department approval required—Application—Fees.
(1) A person may not engage in the acquisition of a nonprofit hospital without first having applied for and received the approval of the department under this chapter.
(2) An application must be submitted to the department on forms provided by the department, and at a minimum must include: The name of the hospital being acquired, the name of the acquiring person or other parties to the acquisition, the acquisition price, a copy of the acquisition agreement, a financial and economic analysis and report from an independent expert or consultant of the effect of the acquisition under the criteria in RCW 70.45.070, and all other related documents. The applications and all related documents are considered public records for purposes of chapter 42.56 RCW.
(3) The department shall charge an applicant fees sufficient to cover the costs of implementing this chapter. The fees must include the cost of the attorney general's opinion under RCW 70.45.060. The department shall transfer this portion of the fee, upon receipt, to the attorney general.
[ 2005 c 274 § 335; 1997 c 332 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.45 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Hospitals. › 70.45.040 - Applications—Deficiencies—Public notice.

RCW 70.45.040
Applications—Deficiencies—Public notice.
(1) The department, in consultation with the attorney general, shall determine if the application is complete for the purposes of review. The department may find that an application is incomplete if a question on the application form has not been answered in whole or in part, or has been answered in a manner that does not fairly meet the question addressed, or if the application does not include attachments of supporting documents as required by RCW 70.45.030. If the department determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the applicant within fifteen working days after the date the application was received stating the reasons for its determination of incompleteness, with reference to the particular questions for which a deficiency is noted.
(2) Within five working days after receipt of a completed application, the department shall publish notice of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties where the hospital is located and shall notify by first-class United States mail, electronic mail, or facsimile transmission, any person who has requested notice of the filing of such applications. The notice must state that an application has been received, state the names of the parties to the agreement, describe the contents of the application, and state the date by which a person may submit written comments about the application to the department.
[ 1997 c 332 § 4.]