reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.192 - Public cemetery facilities or services—Cooperation with public or private agencies—Joint purchasing.

RCW 68.52.192
Public cemetery facilities or services—Cooperation with public or private agencies—Joint purchasing.
A cemetery district may jointly operate or provide, cooperate to operate and provide and/or contract for a term of not to exceed five years to provide or have provided public cemetery facilities or services, with any other public or private agency, including out of state public agencies, which each is separately authorized to operate or provide, under terms mutually agreed upon by such public or private agencies. The governing body of a cemetery district may join with any other public or private agency in buying supplies, equipment, and services collectively.
[ 1963 c 112 § 3. Formerly RCW 68.16.112.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.193 - Public cemetery facilities or services—"Public agency" defined.

RCW 68.52.193
Public cemetery facilities or services—"Public agency" defined.
As used in RCW 68.52.192, "public agency" means counties, cities and towns, special districts, or quasi municipal corporations.
[ 1987 c 331 § 73; 1963 c 112 § 2. Formerly RCW 68.16.113.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.195 - Community revitalization financing—Public improvements.

RCW 68.52.195
Community revitalization financing—Public improvements.
In addition to other authority that a cemetery district possesses, a cemetery 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 cemetery district to otherwise participate in the public improvements if that authority exists elsewhere.
[ 2001 c 212 § 21.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.200 - Right of eminent domain.

RCW 68.52.200
Right of eminent domain.
The taking and damaging of property or rights therein by any cemetery district to carry out the purposes of its creation, are hereby declared to be for a public use, and any such district shall have and exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire any property or rights therein, either inside or outside the district for the use of such district. In exercising the power of eminent domain, a district shall proceed in the manner provided by law for the appropriation of real property or rights therein by private corporations. It may at its option unite in a single action proceedings to condemn property held by separate owners. Two or more condemnation suits instituted separately may also in the discretion of the court be consolidated upon motion of any interested party into a single action. In such cases the jury shall render separate verdicts for each tract of land in different ownership. No finding of the jury or decree of the court as to damages in any condemnation suit instituted by the district shall be held or construed to destroy the right of the district to levy and collect taxes for any and all district purposes against the uncondemned land situated within the district.
[ 1947 c 6 § 12; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-161. Formerly RCW 68.16.120.]
NOTES:
Eminent domain: State Constitution Art. 1 § 16 (Amendment 9).
Eminent domain by corporations: Chapter 8.20 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.210 - Power to do cemetery business—District boundaries may include cities and towns—Eminent domain exception.

RCW 68.52.210
Power to do cemetery business—District boundaries may include cities and towns—Eminent domain exception.
(1) A cemetery district organized under this chapter shall have power to acquire, establish, maintain, manage, improve and operate cemeteries and conduct any and all of the businesses of a cemetery as defined in this title. A cemetery district shall constitute a cemetery authority as defined in this title and shall have and exercise all powers conferred thereby upon a cemetery authority and be subject to the provisions thereof.
(2) A cemetery district may include within its boundaries the lands embraced within the corporate limits of any incorporated city or town and in any such cases the district may acquire any cemetery or cemeteries theretofore maintained and operated by any such city or town and proceed to maintain, manage, improve and operate the same under the provisions hereof. In such event the governing body of the city or town, after the transfer takes place, shall levy no cemetery tax. The power of eminent domain heretofore conferred shall not extend to the condemnation of existing cemeteries within the district: PROVIDED, That no cemetery district shall operate a cemetery within the corporate limits of any city or town where there is a private cemetery operated for profit.
[ 2006 c 335 § 1; 1994 c 81 § 82; 1971 c 19 § 2; 1959 c 23 § 2; 1957 c 39 § 1; 1947 c 6 § 13; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-162. Formerly RCW 68.16.130.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.250 - Special elections.

RCW 68.52.250
Special elections.
Special elections submitting propositions to the registered voters of the district may be called at any time by resolution of the cemetery commissioners in accordance with RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330, and shall be called, noticed, held, conducted and canvassed in the same manner and by the same officials as provided for the election to determine whether the district shall be created.
[ 2015 c 53 § 92; 1990 c 259 § 34; 1947 c 6 § 17; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-166. Formerly RCW 68.16.170.]
NOTES:
Qualifications of electors: RCW 29A.08.210.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.260 - Oath of commissioners.

RCW 68.52.260
Oath of commissioners.
Each cemetery commissioner, before assuming the duties of his or her office, shall take and subscribe an official oath to faithfully discharge the duties of his or her office, which oath shall be filed in the office of the county auditor.
[ 2012 c 117 § 320; 1986 c 167 § 24; 1947 c 6 § 18; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-167. Formerly RCW 68.16.180.]
NOTES:
Severability—1986 c 167: See note following RCW 29A.16.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.270 - Organization of board—Secretary—Office—Meetings—Powers.

RCW 68.52.270
Organization of board—Secretary—Office—Meetings—Powers.
The board of cemetery district commissioners shall organize and elect a chair from its number and shall appoint a secretary for such term as the board may determine. The secretary shall keep a record of proceedings of the board and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or by the board, and shall also take and subscribe an oath for the faithful discharge of his or her duties, which shall be filed with the county clerk. The office of the board of cemetery commissioners and principal place of business of the district shall be at some place in the district designated by the board. The board shall hold regular monthly meetings at its office on such day as it may by resolution determine and may adjourn such meetings as may be required for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the board may be called at any time by a majority of the commissioners or by the secretary and the chair of the board. Any commissioner not joining in the call of a special meeting shall be entitled to three days written notice by mail of such meeting, specifying generally the business to be transacted. All meetings of the board of cemetery commissioners shall be public and a majority shall constitute a quorum. All records of the board shall be open to the inspection of any elector of the district at any meeting of the board. The board shall adopt a seal for the district; manage and conduct the affairs of the district; make and execute all necessary contracts; employ any necessary service, and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for the government of the district and the performance of its functions and generally perform all acts which may be necessary to carry out the purposes for which the district was formed.
[ 2012 c 117 § 321; 1947 c 6 § 19; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-168. Formerly RCW 68.16.190.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.280 - Duty of county treasurer—Cemetery district fund.

RCW 68.52.280
Duty of county treasurer—Cemetery district fund.
It shall be the duty of the county treasurer of the county in which any cemetery district is situated to receive and disburse all district revenues and collect all taxes authorized and levied under this chapter. There is hereby created in the office of county treasurer of each county in which a cemetery district shall be organized for the use of the district, a cemetery district fund. All taxes levied for district purposes when collected shall be placed by the county treasurer in the cemetery district fund.
[ 1947 c 6 § 20; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-169. Formerly RCW 68.16.200.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.290 - Tax levy authorized for fund.

RCW 68.52.290
Tax levy authorized for fund.
Annually, after the county board of equalization has equalized assessments for general tax purposes, the secretary of the district shall prepare a budget of the requirements of the cemetery district fund, certify the same and deliver it to the board of county commissioners in ample time for such board to levy district taxes. At the time of making general tax levies in each year, the board of county commissioners shall levy taxes required for cemetery district purposes against the real and personal property in the district in accordance with the equalized valuation thereof for general tax purposes, and as a part of said general taxes. Such levies shall be part of the general tax roll and be collected as a part of general taxes against the property in the district.
[ 1947 c 6 § 21; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-170. Formerly RCW 68.16.210.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.300 - Disbursement of fund.

RCW 68.52.300
Disbursement of fund.
The county treasurer shall disburse the cemetery district fund upon warrants issued by the county auditor on vouchers approved and signed by a majority of the board of cemetery commissioners and the secretary thereof.
[ 1947 c 6 § 22; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-171. Formerly RCW 68.16.220.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.310 - Limitation of indebtedness—Limitation of tax levy.

RCW 68.52.310
Limitation of indebtedness—Limitation of tax levy.
The board of cemetery commissioners shall have no authority to contract indebtedness in any year in excess of the aggregate amount of the currently levied taxes, which annual tax levy for cemetery district purposes shall not exceed eleven and one-quarter cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 § 77; 1947 c 6 § 23; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-172. Formerly RCW 68.16.230.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective dates and termination dates—Construction—1973 1st ex.s. c 195: See notes following RCW 84.52.043.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.320 - Dissolution of districts.

RCW 68.52.320
Dissolution of districts.
Cemetery districts may be dissolved by a majority vote of the electors at an election called for that purpose, which shall be conducted in the same manner as provided for special elections, and no further district obligations shall thereafter be incurred, but such dissolution shall not abridge or cancel any of the outstanding obligations of the district, and the board of county commissioners shall have authority to make annual levies against the lands included within the district until the obligations of the district are fully paid. When the obligations are fully paid, any moneys remaining in the cemetery district fund and all collections of unpaid district taxes shall be transferred to the current expense fund of the county.
[ 1947 c 6 § 24; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3778-173. Formerly RCW 68.16.240.]
NOTES:
Dissolution of districts: Chapter 53.48 RCW.
Dissolution of inactive special purpose districts: Chapter 36.96 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.52 - Public Cemeteries and Morgues. › 68.52.330 - Disincorporation of district located in county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more and inactive for five years.

RCW 68.52.330
Disincorporation of district located in county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more and inactive for five years.
See chapter 57.90 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.010 - Annexation—Petition—Procedure.

RCW 68.54.010
Annexation—Petition—Procedure.
Any territory contiguous to a cemetery district and not within the boundaries of a city or town other than as set forth in RCW 68.52.210 or other cemetery district may be annexed to such cemetery district by petition of ten percent of the registered voters residing within the territory proposed to be annexed who voted in the last general municipal election. Such petition shall be filed with the cemetery commissioners of the cemetery district and if the cemetery commissioners shall concur in the petition they shall then file such petition with the county auditor who shall within thirty days from the date of filing such petition examine the signatures thereof and certify to the sufficiency or insufficiency thereof. After the county auditor shall have certified to the sufficiency of the petition, the proceedings thereafter by the county legislative authority, and the rights and powers and duties of the county legislative authority, petitioners and objectors and the election and canvass thereof shall be the same as in the original proceedings to form a cemetery district: PROVIDED, That the county legislative authority shall have authority and it shall be its duty to determine on an equitable basis, the amount of obligation which the territory to be annexed to the district shall assume, if any, to place the taxpayers of the existing district on a fair and equitable relationship with the taxpayers of the territory to be annexed by reason of the benefits of coming into a going district previously supported by the taxpayers of the existing district, and such obligation may be paid to the district in yearly installments to be fixed by the county legislative authority if within the limits as outlined in RCW 68.52.310 and included in the annual tax levies against the property in such annexed territory until fully paid. The amount of the obligation and the plan of payment thereof filed by the county legislative authority shall be set out in general terms in the notice of election for annexation: PROVIDED, That the special election shall be held only within the boundaries of the territory proposed to be annexed to the cemetery district. Upon the entry of the order of the county legislative authority incorporating such contiguous territory within such existing cemetery district, the territory shall become subject to the indebtedness, bonded or otherwise, of the existing district in like manner as the territory of the district. Should such petition be signed by sixty percent of the registered voters residing within the territory proposed to be annexed, and should the cemetery commissioners concur therein, an election in such territory and a hearing on such petition shall be dispensed with and the county legislative authority shall enter its order incorporating such territory within the existing cemetery district.
[ 1990 c 259 § 35; 1987 c 331 § 74; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 1. Formerly RCW 68.18.010.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.020 - Merger—Authorized.

RCW 68.54.020
Merger—Authorized.
A cemetery district organized under chapter 68.52 RCW may merge with another such district lying adjacent thereto, upon such terms and conditions as they agree upon, in the manner hereinafter provided. The district desiring to merge with another district shall hereinafter be called the "merging district", and the district into which the merger is to be made shall be called the "merger district".
[ 1990 c 259 § 36; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 2. Formerly RCW 68.18.020.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.030 - Merger—Petition—Procedure—Contents.

RCW 68.54.030
Merger—Petition—Procedure—Contents.
To effect such a merger, a petition therefor shall be filed with the board of the merger district by the commissioners of the merging district. The commissioners of the merging district may sign and file the petition upon their own initiative, and they shall file such a petition when it is signed by ten percent of the registered voters resident in the merging district who voted in the last general municipal election and presented to them. The petition shall state the reasons for the merger; give a detailed statement of the district's finances, listing its assets and liabilities; state the terms and conditions under which the merger is proposed; and pray for the merger.
[ 1990 c 259 § 37; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 3. Formerly RCW 68.18.030.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.040 - Merger—Petition—Rejection, concurrence, or modification—Signatures.

RCW 68.54.040
Merger—Petition—Rejection, concurrence, or modification—Signatures.
The board of the merger district may, by resolution, reject the petition, or it may concur therein as presented, or it may modify the terms and conditions of the proposed merger, and shall transmit the petition, together with a copy of its resolution thereon to the merging district. If the petition is concurred in as presented or as modified, the board of the merging district shall forthwith present the petition to the auditor of the county in which the merging district is situated, who shall within thirty days examine the signatures thereon and certify to the sufficiency or insufficiency thereof, and for that purpose he or she shall have access to all registration books and records in the possession of the registration officers of the election precincts included, in whole or in part, within the merging district. Such books and records shall be prima facie evidence of truth of the certificate. No signatures may be withdrawn from the petition after the filing.
[ 2012 c 117 § 322; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 4. Formerly RCW 68.18.040.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.050 - Merger—Petition—Special election.

RCW 68.54.050
Merger—Petition—Special election.
If the auditor finds that the petition contains the signatures of a sufficient number of qualified electors, he or she shall return it, together with his or her certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, to the board of the merging district. Thereupon such board shall adopt a resolution, calling a special election in the merging district, at which shall be submitted to the electors thereof, the question of the merger.
[ 2012 c 117 § 323; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 5. Formerly RCW 68.18.050.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.060 - Merger—Petition—Election—Vote required—Merger effected.

RCW 68.54.060
Merger—Petition—Election—Vote required—Merger effected.
The board of [the] merging district shall notify the board of the merger district of the results of the election. If three-fifths of the votes cast at the election favor the merger, the respective district boards shall adopt concurrent resolutions, declaring the districts merged, under the name of the merger district. Thereupon the districts are merged into one district, under the name of the merger district; the merging district is dissolved without further proceedings; and the boundaries of the merger district are thereby extended to include all the area of the merging district. Thereafter the legal existence cannot be questioned by any person by reason of any defect in the proceedings had for the merger.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 6. Formerly RCW 68.18.060.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.070 - Merger—Petition—When election dispensed with.

RCW 68.54.070
Merger—Petition—When election dispensed with.
If three-fifths of all the qualified electors in the merging district sign the petition to merge, no election on the question of the merger is necessary. In such case, the auditor shall return the petition, together with his or her certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, to the board of the merging district. Thereupon the boards of the respective districts shall adopt their concurrent resolutions of merger in the same manner and to the same effect as if the merger had been authorized by an election.
[ 2012 c 117 § 324; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 7. Formerly RCW 68.18.070.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.080 - Merger—Preexisting obligations.

RCW 68.54.080
Merger—Preexisting obligations.
None of the obligations of the merged districts or of a local improvement district therein shall be affected by the merger and dissolution, and all land liable to be assessed to pay any of such indebtedness shall remain liable to the same extent as if the merger had not been made, and any assessments theretofore levied against the land shall remain unimpaired and shall be collected in the same manner as if no merger had been made. The commissioners of the merged district shall have all the powers possessed at the time of the merger by the commissioners of the two districts, to levy, assess and cause to be collected all assessments against any land in both districts which may be necessary to provide for the payment of the indebtedness thereof, and until the assessments are collected and all indebtedness of the districts paid, separate funds shall be maintained for each district as were maintained before the merger: PROVIDED, That the board of the merged district may, with the consent of the creditors of the districts merged, cancel any or all assessments theretofore levied, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the merger, to the end that the lands in the respective districts shall bear their fair and proportionate share of such indebtedness.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 8. Formerly RCW 68.18.080.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.090 - Merger—Transfer of all property, funds, assessments.

RCW 68.54.090
Merger—Transfer of all property, funds, assessments.
The commissioners of the merging district shall, forthwith upon completion of the merger, transfer, convey, and deliver to the merged district all property and funds of the merging district, together with all interest in and right to collect any assessments theretofore levied.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 9. Formerly RCW 68.18.090.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.100 - Merger and transfer of part of one district to adjacent district—Petition—Election—Vote.

RCW 68.54.100
Merger and transfer of part of one district to adjacent district—Petition—Election—Vote.
A part of one district may be transferred and merged with an adjacent district whenever such area can be better served by the merged district. To effect such a merger a petition, signed by not less than fifteen percent of the qualified electors residing in the area to be merged, shall be filed with the commissioners of the merging district. Such petition shall be promoted by one or more qualified electors within the area to be transferred. If the commissioners of the merging district act favorably upon the petition, then the petition shall be presented to the commissioners of the merger district. If the commissioners of the merger district act favorably upon the petition, an election shall be called in the area merged.
In the event that either board of cemetery commissioners should not concur with the petition, the petition may then be presented to a county review board established for such purposes, if there be no county review board for such purposes then to the state review board and if there be no state review board, then to the county commissioners of the county in which the area to be merged is situated, who shall decide if the area can be better served by such a merger; upon an affirmative decision an election shall be called in the area merged.
A majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to approve the transfer.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 10. Formerly RCW 68.18.100.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.110 - Merger and transfer of part of one district to adjacent district—When election dispensed with.

RCW 68.54.110
Merger and transfer of part of one district to adjacent district—When election dispensed with.
If three-fifths of all the qualified electors in the area to be merged sign a petition to merge the districts, no election on the question of the merger is necessary, in which case the auditor shall return the petition, together with his or her certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, to the boards of the merging districts. Thereupon the boards of the respective districts shall adopt their concurrent resolutions of transfer in the same manner and to the same effect as if the same had been authorized by an election.
[ 2012 c 117 § 325; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 11. Formerly RCW 68.18.110.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.120 - Merger and transfer of part of one district to adjacent district—Preexisting indebtedness.

RCW 68.54.120
Merger and transfer of part of one district to adjacent district—Preexisting indebtedness.
When a part of one cemetery district is transferred to another as provided by RCW 68.54.100 and 68.54.110, said part shall be relieved of all liability for any indebtedness of the district from which it is withdrawn. However, the acquiring district shall pay to the losing district that portion of the latter's indebtedness for which the transferred part was liable. This amount shall not exceed the proportion that the assessed valuation of the transferred part bears to the assessed valuation of the whole district from which said part is withdrawn. The adjustment of such indebtedness shall be based on the assessment for the year in which the transfer is made. The boards of commissioners of the districts involved in the said transfer and merger shall enter into a contract for the payment by the acquiring district of the above-referred to indebtedness under such terms as they deem proper, provided such contract shall not impair the security of existing creditors.
[ 1987 c 331 § 75; 1969 ex.s. c 78 § 12. Formerly RCW 68.18.120.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.54 - Annexation and Merger of Cemetery Districts. › 68.54.130 - Withdrawal of territory.

RCW 68.54.130
Withdrawal of territory.
(1) Territory within a cemetery district may be withdrawn from the district in the same manner provided by law for withdrawal of territory from water-sewer districts, as provided by chapter 57.28 RCW, except as provided otherwise in subsections (2) and (3) of this section.
(2) If a territory has qualified voters residing within it, then the territory may not be withdrawn from the cemetery district unless a special election is held and a majority of votes cast by qualified voters residing within the district approve the withdrawal. Agreement between the district board of commissioners and the county legislative authority on the findings of fact under RCW 57.28.080 does not preclude an election under this subsection.
(3) If a territory has no qualified voters residing within it, then no special election is required as applied to procedures for withdrawal of territory under this section. However, if withdrawal of such territory is commenced by the district board of commissioners as provided under RCW 57.28.035, then the territory may not be withdrawn from the cemetery district unless written approval is attained from the owners, according to the records of the county auditor or auditors, of not less than sixty percent of the area of land included in the resolution for withdrawal. The written approval must be attained within sixty days from the date of the final hearing of any county legislative authority on the resolution for withdrawal. Agreement between the district board of commissioners and the county legislative authority on the findings of fact under RCW 57.28.080 does not preclude the written approval requirement under this subsection.
[ 2019 c 42 § 1; 2017 c 62 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.56 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions. › 68.56.010 - Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc.—Interfering with funeral.

RCW 68.56.010
Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc.—Interfering with funeral.
Every person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who unlawfully or without right wilfully does any of the following:
(1) Destroys, cuts, mutilates, effaces, or otherwise injures, tears down or removes, any tomb, plot, monument, memorial or marker in a cemetery, or any gate, door, fence, wall, post or railing, or any enclosure for the protection of a cemetery or any property in a cemetery.
(2) Destroys, cuts, breaks, removes or injures any building, statuary, ornamentation, tree, shrub, flower or plant within the limits of a cemetery.
(3) Disturbs, obstructs, detains or interferes with any person carrying or accompanying human remains to a cemetery or funeral establishment, or engaged in a funeral service, or an interment.
[ 1943 c 247 § 36; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-36. Cf. 1909 c 249 § 240 and 1856-57 p 28 §§ 4, 5. Formerly RCW 68.48.010.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.56 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions. › 68.56.020 - Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc.—Civil liability for damage.

RCW 68.56.020
Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc.—Civil liability for damage.
Any person violating any provision of RCW 68.56.010 is liable, in a civil action by and in the name of the cemetery authority, to pay all damages occasioned by his or her unlawful acts. The sum recovered shall be applied in payment for the repair and restoration of the property injured or destroyed.
[ 2012 c 117 § 326; 1943 c 247 § 37; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-37. Formerly RCW 68.48.020.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.56 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions. › 68.56.030 - Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc.—Exceptions.

RCW 68.56.030
Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc.—Exceptions.
The provisions of *RCW 68.48.010 do not apply to the removal or unavoidable breakage or injury, by a cemetery authority, of any thing placed in or upon any portion of its cemetery in violation of any of the rules or regulations of the cemetery authority, nor to the removal of anything placed in the cemetery by or with the consent of the cemetery authority which has become in a wrecked, unsightly or dilapidated condition.
[ 1943 c 247 § 37; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-37. Formerly RCW 68.48.030.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 68.48.010 was recodified as RCW 68.56.010 pursuant to 1987 c 331 § 89.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.56 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions. › 68.56.040 - Nonconforming cemetery a nuisance—Penalty.

RCW 68.56.040
Nonconforming cemetery a nuisance—Penalty.
Every person, firm, or corporation who is the owner or operator of a cemetery established in violation of *this act is guilty of maintaining a public nuisance, which is a gross misdemeanor.
[ 2005 c 365 § 149; 2003 c 53 § 313; 1943 c 247 § 145; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-145. Formerly RCW 68.48.040.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: For "this act," see note following RCW 68.04.020.
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Section applies to certain mausoleums, columbariums, etc.: RCW 68.28.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.56 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions. › 68.56.050 - Defendant liable for costs.

RCW 68.56.050
Defendant liable for costs.
Every person who violates any provision of *this act is guilty of a misdemeanor, and in addition is liable for all costs, expenses, and disbursements paid or incurred by a person prosecuting the case.
[ 1943 c 247 § 139; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-139. Formerly RCW 68.48.060.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: For "this act," see note following RCW 68.04.020.
Costs, etc., to be fixed by court having jurisdiction: RCW 68.28.065.
Section applies to certain mausoleums, columbariums, etc.: RCW 68.28.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.56 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions. › 68.56.060 - Police authority—Who may exercise.

RCW 68.56.060
Police authority—Who may exercise.
The sexton, superintendent, or other person in charge of a cemetery, and such other persons as the cemetery authority designates have the authority of a police officer for the purpose of maintaining order, enforcing the rules and regulations of the cemetery association, the laws of the state, and the ordinances of the city or county, within the cemetery over which he or she has charge, and within such radius as may be necessary to protect the cemetery property.
[ 2012 c 117 § 327; 1943 c 247 § 55; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-55. Formerly RCW 68.48.080.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.56 - Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions. › 68.56.070 - Forfeiture of office for inattention to duty.

RCW 68.56.070
Forfeiture of office for inattention to duty.
The office of any director or officer who acts or permits action contrary to *this act immediately thereupon becomes vacant.
[ 1943 c 247 § 132; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-132. Formerly RCW 68.48.090.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: For "this act," see note following RCW 68.04.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.60 - Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves. › 68.60.010 - Definitions.

RCW 68.60.010
Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Abandoned cemetery" means a burial ground of the human dead:
(a) For which the county assessor can find no record of an owner;
(b) Where the last known owner is deceased and lawful conveyance of the title has not been made; or
(c) In which the cemetery company, cemetery association, corporation, or other organization that formed for the purposes of burying the human dead:
(i) Has disbanded, has been administratively dissolved by the secretary of state, or has otherwise ceased to exist, and for which title has not been conveyed; or
(ii) No longer has a valid certificate of authority as determined by the funeral and cemetery board.
(2) "Cemetery" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 68.04.040.
(3) "Historic grave" means a grave or graves that were placed outside a cemetery dedicated pursuant to this chapter and to chapter 68.24 RCW, prior to June 7, 1990, except Indian graves and burial cairns protected under chapter 27.44 RCW.
(4) "Historical cemetery" means any burial site or grounds which contain within them human remains buried prior to November 11, 1889; except that (a) cemeteries holding a valid certificate of authority to operate granted under RCW 68.05.115 and 68.05.215, (b) cemeteries owned or operated by any recognized religious denomination that qualifies for an exemption from real estate taxation under RCW 84.36.020 on any of its churches or the ground upon which any of its churches are or will be built, and (c) cemeteries controlled or operated by a coroner, county, city, town, or cemetery district shall not be considered historical cemeteries.
[ 2017 c 208 § 1; 1990 c 92 § 1.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.60 - Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves. › 68.60.020 - Dedication.

RCW 68.60.020
Dedication.
Any cemetery, abandoned cemetery, historical cemetery, or historic grave that has not been dedicated pursuant to RCW 68.24.030 and 68.24.040 shall be considered permanently dedicated and subject to RCW 68.24.070. Removal of dedication may only be made pursuant to RCW 68.24.090 and 68.24.100.
[ 1999 c 367 § 3; 1990 c 92 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.60 - Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves. › 68.60.040 - Protection of cemeteries—Penalties.

RCW 68.60.040
Protection of cemeteries—Penalties.
(1) Every person who in a cemetery unlawfully or without right willfully destroys, cuts, mutilates, effaces, or otherwise injures, tears down or removes, any tomb, plot, monument, memorial, or marker in a cemetery, or any gate, door, fence, wall, post, or railing, or any enclosure for the protection of a cemetery or any property in a cemetery is guilty of a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(2) Every person who in a cemetery unlawfully or without right willfully destroys, cuts, breaks, removes, or injures any building, statuary, ornamentation, tree, shrub, flower, or plant within the limits of a cemetery is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(3) Every person who in a cemetery unlawfully or without right willfully opens a grave; removes personal effects of the decedent; removes all or portions of human remains; removes or damages caskets, surrounds, outer burial containers, or any other device used in making the original burial; transports unlawfully removed human remains from the cemetery; or knowingly receives unlawfully removed human remains from the cemetery is guilty of a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
[ 1990 c 92 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.60 - Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves. › 68.60.050 - Protection of historic graves—Penalty.

RCW 68.60.050
Protection of historic graves—Penalty.
(1) Any person who knowingly removes, mutilates, defaces, injures, or destroys any historic grave shall be guilty of a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. Persons disturbing historic graves through inadvertence, including disturbance through construction, shall reinter the human remains under the supervision of the department of archaeology and historic preservation. Expenses to reinter such human remains are to be provided by the department of archaeology and historic preservation to the extent that funds for this purpose are appropriated by the legislature.
(2) This section does not apply to actions taken in the performance of official law enforcement duties.
(3) It shall be a complete defense in a prosecution under subsection (1) of this section if the defendant can prove by a preponderance of evidence that the alleged acts were accidental or inadvertent and that reasonable efforts were made to preserve the remains accidentally disturbed or discovered, and that the accidental discovery or disturbance was properly reported.
[ 2009 c 102 § 22; 1999 c 67 § 1; 1989 c 44 § 5. Formerly RCW 68.05.420.]
NOTES:
Funeral directors and embalmers account and cemetery account abolished, moneys transferred to funeral and cemetery account—2009 c 102: See note following RCW 18.39.810.
Intent—1989 c 44: See RCW 27.44.030.
Liberal construction—1989 c 44: See RCW 27.44.901.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.60 - Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves. › 68.60.060 - Violations—Civil liability.

RCW 68.60.060
Violations—Civil liability.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is liable in a civil action by and in the name of the department of archaeology and historic preservation to pay all damages occasioned by their unlawful acts. The sum recovered shall be applied in payment for the repair and restoration of the property injured or destroyed and to the care fund if one is established.
[ 2009 c 102 § 23; 1990 c 92 § 5.]
NOTES:
Funeral directors and embalmers account and cemetery account abolished, moneys transferred to funeral and cemetery account—2009 c 102: See note following RCW 18.39.810.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.60 - Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves. › 68.60.070 - Abandoned cemetery burials—Records—Endowment care funds.

RCW 68.60.070
Abandoned cemetery burials—Records—Endowment care funds.
(1)(a) The funeral and cemetery board must consult with the department of archaeology and historic preservation to promulgate rules in order to allow for burials in abandoned cemeteries.
(b) The landowner of an abandoned cemetery must allow for burials in accordance with rules promulgated by the funeral and cemetery board.
(2) Any records, maps, or other documents associated with an abandoned cemetery must be transferred to the state archives at the time the cemetery becomes an abandoned cemetery.
(3) Any endowment care funds held by the cemetery authority at the time such cemetery becomes an abandoned cemetery must be transferred to the department of archaeology and historic preservation.
[ 2017 c 208 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.60 - Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves. › 68.60.080 - Abandoned cemetery—Lawful entry purposes.

RCW 68.60.080
Abandoned cemetery—Lawful entry purposes.
It is lawful to enter an abandoned cemetery for purposes of:
(1) Burials pursuant to RCW 68.60.070 and associated rules;
(2) Care and maintenance activities authorized under RCW 68.60.030; and
(3) Visitation of graves.
[ 2019 c 129 § 1.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2019 c 129: "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 [April 24, 2019]." [ 2019 c 129 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.64 - Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. › 68.64.020 - Scope.

RCW 68.64.020
Scope.
This chapter applies to an anatomical gift or amendment to, revocation of, or refusal to make an anatomical gift, whenever made.
[ 2008 c 139 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.64 - Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. › 68.64.030 - Persons authorized to make an anatomical gift—During life of donor.

RCW 68.64.030
Persons authorized to make an anatomical gift—During life of donor.
Subject to RCW 68.64.070, an anatomical gift of a donor's body or part may be made during the life of the donor in the manner provided in RCW 68.64.040 by:
(1) The donor, if the donor is an adult or if the donor is a minor and is:
(a) Emancipated; or
(b) Authorized under state law to apply for a driver's license because the donor is at least fifteen and one-half years old;
(2) An agent of the donor, unless the power of attorney for health care or other record prohibits the agent from making an anatomical gift;
(3) A parent of the donor, if the donor is an unemancipated minor; provided, however, that an anatomical gift made pursuant to this subsection shall cease to be valid once the donor becomes either an emancipated minor or an adult; or
(4) The donor's guardian.
[ 2008 c 139 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.64 - Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. › 68.64.040 - Manner in which an anatomical gift may be made.

RCW 68.64.040
Manner in which an anatomical gift may be made.
(1) A donor may make an anatomical gift:
(a) By authorizing a statement or symbol indicating that the donor has made an anatomical gift to be imprinted on the donor's driver's license or identification card;
(b) In a will;
(c) During a terminal illness or injury of the donor, by any form of communication addressed to at least two adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested witness; or
(d) As provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) A donor or other person authorized to make an anatomical gift under RCW 68.64.030 may make a gift by a donor card or other record signed by the donor or other person making the gift or by authorizing that a statement or symbol indicating that the donor has made an anatomical gift be included on a donor registry. If the donor or other person is physically unable to sign a record, the record may be signed by another individual at the direction of the donor or other person and must:
(a) Be witnessed by at least two adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested witness, who have signed at the request of the donor or the other person; and
(b) State that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in (a) of this subsection.
(3) Revocation, suspension, expiration, or cancellation of a driver's license or identification card through which an anatomical gift has been made does not invalidate the gift.
(4) An anatomical gift made by will takes effect upon the donor's death whether or not the will is probated. Invalidation of the will after the donor's death does not invalidate the gift.
[ 2008 c 139 § 5.]