Last session, Senate Bill 5808 was passed and signed into law. It created an additional way for counties and cities to annex unincorporated county land. While there are many methods cities can already use to annex land in surrounding unincorporated parts of a county, the law does not provide a way for property owners to have a vote on whether or not their property is annexed, which is not typical of annexation processes.

Under SB 5808, an annexation can be initiated and completed solely through an Inter-Local Agreement (ILA) between the city, county and affected fire districts. Once the agreement is approved by each of the entities, the annexation process is complete, bypassing the opportunity for citizens to file a petition for a public vote on the proposed annexation.

I voted in favor of the legislation, which raised great concern in our district, and rightly so. Constituents are concerned their voices will not be heard on such a critical issue as annexation, and they have a valid point. In my quest to focus on ample emergency services in our ever-expanding population in unincorporated areas of the district, I mistakenly missed an important piece of the puzzle in the bill – a public vote. For that oversight, I am sorry, but I am working to fix the process through legislation this year, and hope you will support me in correcting the oversight.

I have introduced House Bill 2674, which would add the same language included in other annexation methods. The legislation would, once an annexation is proposed, allow for a 45-day time frame in which residents in the affected area could submit a petition, signed by no less than 10 percent of the affected residents, to be placed on the ballot for a public vote. If the measure receives a majority of residents in opposition to the annexation, it would not occur.

House Bill 2674 would make the annexation process created under SB 5808 more responsive to the people in the affected areas.

As an elected official, I believe public participation in government at all levels is the cornerstone of our country. So, the fact that SB 5808 did not have a provision for citizens to cast their vote in support of or against an annexation is an oversight that can and should be corrected this legislative session.

As the bill moves through the process, my hope is that I hear from you and that you stay engaged to ensure your voice is heard. Letters and e-mails on this issue are greatly appreciated. I can be reached at priest.skip@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7830.

Rep. Skip Priest represents the 30th Legislative District, which includes Federal Way, Algona, Pacific and portions of Milton, Des Moines and Auburn. He serves as the lead Republican on the House Education Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Finance. He also serves on the House Ways and Means Committee.