Committee backs 20-year limit for latecomer reimbursement contracts but rejects retroactive COVID extension

The Local Government Committee voted to report out House Bill 1305 on a due-pass recommendation after adopting an amendment that sets a 20-year maximum for reimbursement contracts used to recover costs for street, water and sewer extensions.

The bill would permit reimbursement contracts for water, sewer and street projects to run for up to 20 years and had included language allowing those contracts to be extended for the duration of a national economic recession and for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency. Committee members debated two Representative Griffey amendments and one Representative Hunt amendment before voting.

Committee chair Duda opened discussion by summarizing the bill’s purpose: to allow “reimbursement contracts for water sewer extensions, and street projects [that] may last for up to 20 years” and to permit extensions tied to recession or emergency periods. Representative Griffey attempted to streamline the package…