METROPOLITAN MUNICIPAL CORPORATION FUNCTIONS, ETC. — ASSUMPTION BY COUNTIES

RCW 36.56
in effect

RCW 36.56.010 Assumption of rights, powers, functions, and obligations authorized.

Any county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more in which a metropolitan municipal corporation has been established pursuant to chapter 35.58 RCW with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the county may by ordinance or resolution, as the case may be, of the county legislative authority assume the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of such metropolitan municipal corporation in accordance with the provisions of *this 1977 amendatory act. The definitions contained in RCW 35.58.020 shall be applicable to this chapter. Any county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more in which a metropolitan municipal corporation has been established pursuant to chapter 35.58 RCW with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the county may by ordinance or resolution, as the case may be, of the county legislative authority assume the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of such metropolitan municipal corporation in accordance with the provisions of *this 1977 amendatory act. The definitions contained in RCW 35.58.020 shall be applicable to this chapter.

RCW 36.56.020 Ordinance or resolution of intention to assume rights, powers, functions, and obligations — Adoption — Publication — Hearing.

The assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation may be initiated by the adoption of an ordinance or a resolution, as the case may be, by the county legislative authority indicating its intention to conduct a hearing concerning assumption of such rights, powers, functions, and obligations. In the event the county legislative authority adopts such an ordinance or a resolution of intention, such ordinance or resolution shall set a time and place at which it will consider the proposed assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, and shall state that all persons interested may appear and be heard. Such ordinance or resolution of intention shall be published for at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the scheduled hearing in newspapers of daily general circulation printed or published in said county. The assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation may be initiated by the adoption of an ordinance or a resolution, as the case may be, by the county legislative authority indicating its intention to conduct a hearing concerning assumption of such rights, powers, functions, and obligations. In the event the county legislative authority adopts such an ordinance or a resolution of intention, such ordinance or resolution shall set a time and place at which it will consider the proposed assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, and shall state that all persons interested may appear and be heard. Such ordinance or resolution of intention shall be published for at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the scheduled hearing in newspapers of daily general circulation printed or published in said county.

RCW 36.56.030 Hearing.

At the time scheduled for the hearing in the ordinance or resolution of intention, the county legislative authority shall consider the assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, and hear those appearing and all protests and objections to it. The county legislative authority may continue the hearing from time to time, not exceeding sixty days in all. At the time scheduled for the hearing in the ordinance or resolution of intention, the county legislative authority shall consider the assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, and hear those appearing and all protests and objections to it. The county legislative authority may continue the hearing from time to time, not exceeding sixty days in all.

RCW 36.56.040 Declaration of intention to assume — Submission of ordinance or resolution to voters required — Extent of rights, powers, functions, and obligations assumed and vested in county — Abolition of metropolitan council — Transfer of rights, powers, functions, and obligations to county.

If, from the testimony given before the county legislative authority, it appears that the public interest or welfare would be satisfied by the county assuming the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, the county legislative authority may declare that to be its intent and assume such rights, powers, functions, and obligations by ordinance or resolution, as the case may be, providing that the county shall be vested with every right, power, function, and obligation currently granted to or possessed by the metropolitan municipal corporation pursuant to chapter 35.58 RCW (including *RCW 35.58.273 relating to levy and use of the motor vehicle excise tax) or other provision of state law, including but not limited to, the power and authority to levy a sales and use tax pursuant to chapter 82.14 RCW or other provision of law: PROVIDED, That such ordinance or resolution shall be submitted to the voters of the county for their adoption and ratification or rejection, and if a majority of the persons voting on the proposition residing within the central city shall vote in favor thereof and a majority of the persons voting on the proposition residing in the metropolitan area outside of the central city shall vote in favor thereof, the ordinance or resolution shall be deemed adopted and ratified. Upon assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation by the county, the metropolitan council established pursuant to the provisions of RCW 35.58.120 through 35.58.160 shall be abolished, said provisions shall be inapplicable to the county, and the county legislative authority shall thereafter be vested with all rights, powers, duties, and obligations otherwise vested by law in the metropolitan council: PROVIDED, That in any county with a home rule charter such rights, powers, functions, and obligations shall vest in accordance with the executive and legislative responsibilities defined in such charter. If, from the testimony given before the county legislative authority, it appears that the public interest or welfare would be satisfied by the county assuming the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, the county legislative authority may declare that to be its intent and assume such rights, powers, functions, and obligations by ordinance or resolution, as the case may be, providing that the county shall be vested with every right, power, function, and obligation currently granted to or possessed by the metropolitan municipal corporation pursuant to chapter 35.58 RCW (including *RCW 35.58.273 relating to levy and use of the motor vehicle excise tax) or other provision of state law, including but not limited to, the power and authority to levy a sales and use tax pursuant to chapter 82.14 RCW or other provision of law: PROVIDED, That such ordinance or resolution shall be submitted to the voters of the county for their adoption and ratification or rejection, and if a majority of the persons voting on the proposition residing within the central city shall vote in favor thereof and a majority of the persons voting on the proposition residing in the metropolitan area outside of the central city shall vote in favor thereof, the ordinance or resolution shall be deemed adopted and ratified. Upon assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation by the county, the metropolitan council established pursuant to the provisions of RCW 35.58.120 through 35.58.160 shall be abolished, said provisions shall be inapplicable to the county, and the county legislative authority shall thereafter be vested with all rights, powers, duties, and obligations otherwise vested by law in the metropolitan council: PROVIDED, That in any county with a home rule charter such rights, powers, functions, and obligations shall vest in accordance with the executive and legislative responsibilities defined in such charter.

RCW 36.56.050 Employees and personnel.

All employees and personnel of the metropolitan municipal corporation who are under a personnel system pursuant to RCW 35.58.370 shall be assigned to the county personnel system to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing the county personnel system. All employees and personnel of the metropolitan municipal corporation who are under a personnel system pursuant to RCW 35.58.370 shall be assigned to the county personnel system to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing the county personnel system.

RCW 36.56.060 Apportionment of budgeted funds — Transfer and adjustment of funds, accounts and records.

If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers authorized by this chapter, the county budget office shall certify such apportionments to the agencies and local governmental units affected and to the state auditor. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with such certification. If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers authorized by this chapter, the county budget office shall certify such apportionments to the agencies and local governmental units affected and to the state auditor. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with such certification.

RCW 36.56.070 Existing rights, actions, proceedings, etc. not impaired or altered.

No transfer of any function made pursuant to this chapter shall be construed to impair or alter any existing rights acquired under the provisions of chapter 35.58 RCW or any other provision of law relating to metropolitan municipal corporations, nor as impairing or altering any actions, activities, or proceedings validated thereunder, nor as impairing or altering any civil or criminal proceedings instituted thereunder, nor any rule, regulation, or order promulgated thereunder, nor any administrative action taken thereunder; and neither the assumption of control of any metropolitan municipal function by a county, nor any transfer of rights, powers, functions, and obligations as provided in this chapter, shall impair or alter the validity of any act performed by such metropolitan municipal corporation or division thereof or any officer thereof prior to the assumption of such rights, powers, functions, and obligations by any county as authorized by this chapter. No transfer of any function made pursuant to this chapter shall be construed to impair or alter any existing rights acquired under the provisions of chapter 35.58 RCW or any other provision of law relating to metropolitan municipal corporations, nor as impairing or altering any actions, activities, or proceedings validated thereunder, nor as impairing or altering any civil or criminal proceedings instituted thereunder, nor any rule, regulation, or order promulgated thereunder, nor any administrative action taken thereunder; and neither the assumption of control of any metropolitan municipal function by a county, nor any transfer of rights, powers, functions, and obligations as provided in this chapter, shall impair or alter the validity of any act performed by such metropolitan municipal corporation or division thereof or any officer thereof prior to the assumption of such rights, powers, functions, and obligations by any county as authorized by this chapter.

RCW 36.56.080 Collective bargaining units or agreements.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until any such agreement has expired or until any such bargaining unit has been modified as provided by law. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until any such agreement has expired or until any such bargaining unit has been modified as provided by law.

RCW 36.56.090 Rules and regulations, pending business, contracts, obligations, validity of official acts.

All rules and regulations, and all pending business before the committees, divisions, boards, and other agencies of any metropolitan municipal corporation transferred pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be continued and acted upon by the county. All existing contracts and obligations of the transferred metropolitan municipal corporation shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be performed by the county. No transfer authorized in this chapter shall affect the validity of any official act performed by any official or employee prior to the transfer authorized pursuant to *this amendatory act. All rules and regulations, and all pending business before the committees, divisions, boards, and other agencies of any metropolitan municipal corporation transferred pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be continued and acted upon by the county. All existing contracts and obligations of the transferred metropolitan municipal corporation shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be performed by the county. No transfer authorized in this chapter shall affect the validity of any official act performed by any official or employee prior to the transfer authorized pursuant to *this amendatory act.

RCW 36.56.100 Real and personal property — Reports, books, records, etc. — Funds, credits, assets — Appropriations or federal grants.

When the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation are transferred pursuant to this chapter, all real and personal property owned by the metropolitan municipal corporation shall become that of the county. All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or other writings relating to the administration of the powers, duties, and functions transferred pursuant to this chapter and available to the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be made available to the county. All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed in carrying out the rights, powers, functions, and obligations transferred by this chapter and available to the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be made available to the county. All funds, credits, or other assets held in connection with powers, duties, and functions herein transferred shall be assigned to the county. Any appropriations or federal grant made to any committee, division, board, or other department of a metropolitan municipal corporation for the purpose of carrying out the rights, powers, functions, and obligations authorized to be assumed by a county pursuant to this chapter shall on the effective date of such transfer be credited to the county for the purpose of carrying out such transferred rights, powers, functions, and obligations. When the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation are transferred pursuant to this chapter, all real and personal property owned by the metropolitan municipal corporation shall become that of the county. All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or other writings relating to the administration of the powers, duties, and functions transferred pursuant to this chapter and available to the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be made available to the county. All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed in carrying out the rights, powers, functions, and obligations transferred by this chapter and available to the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be made available to the county. All funds, credits, or other assets held in connection with powers, duties, and functions herein transferred shall be assigned to the county. Any appropriations or federal grant made to any committee, division, board, or other department of a metropolitan municipal corporation for the purpose of carrying out the rights, powers, functions, and obligations authorized to be assumed by a county pursuant to this chapter shall on the effective date of such transfer be credited to the county for the purpose of carrying out such transferred rights, powers, functions, and obligations.

RCW 36.56.110 Debts and obligations.

The county shall assume and agree to provide for the payment of all of the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation including the payment and retirement of outstanding general obligation and revenue bonds issued by the metropolitan municipal corporation. Until the indebtedness of a metropolitan municipal corporation thus assumed by a county has been discharged, all property within the boundaries of the metropolitan municipal corporation and the owners and occupants of that property, shall continue to be liable for taxes, special assessments, and other charges legally pledged to pay the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation. The county shall assume the obligation of causing the payment of such indebtedness, collecting such taxes, assessments, and charges and observing and performing the other contractual obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation. The legislative authority of the county shall act in the same manner as the governing body of the metropolitan municipal corporation for the purpose of certifying the amount of any property tax to be levied and collected therein, and may cause service and other charges and assessments to be collected from such property or owners or occupants thereof, enforce such collection and perform all acts necessary to ensure performance of the contractual obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation in the same manner and by the same means as if the property of the metropolitan municipal corporation had not been acquired by the county. When a county assumes the obligation of paying indebtedness of a metropolitan municipal corporation and if property taxes or assessments have been levied and service and other charges have accrued for such purpose but have not been collected by the metropolitan municipal corporation prior to such assumption, the same when collected shall belong and be paid to the county and be used by such county so far as necessary for payment of the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation existing and unpaid on the date such county assumed that indebtedness. Any funds received by the county which have been collected for the purpose of paying any bonded or other indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be used for the purpose for which they were collected and for no other purpose until such indebtedness has been paid and retired or adequate provision has been made for such payment and retirement. No transfer of property as provided in *this act shall derogate from the claims or rights of the creditors of the metropolitan municipal corporation or impair the ability of the metropolitan municipal corporation to respond to its debts and obligations. The county shall assume and agree to provide for the payment of all of the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation including the payment and retirement of outstanding general obligation and revenue bonds issued by the metropolitan municipal corporation. Until the indebtedness of a metropolitan municipal corporation thus assumed by a county has been discharged, all property within the boundaries of the metropolitan municipal corporation and the owners and occupants of that property, shall continue to be liable for taxes, special assessments, and other charges legally pledged to pay the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation. The county shall assume the obligation of causing the payment of such indebtedness, collecting such taxes, assessments, and charges and observing and performing the other contractual obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation. The legislative authority of the county shall act in the same manner as the governing body of the metropolitan municipal corporation for the purpose of certifying the amount of any property tax to be levied and collected therein, and may cause service and other charges and assessments to be collected from such property or owners or occupants thereof, enforce such collection and perform all acts necessary to ensure performance of the contractual obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation in the same manner and by the same means as if the property of the metropolitan municipal corporation had not been acquired by the county. When a county assumes the obligation of paying indebtedness of a metropolitan municipal corporation and if property taxes or assessments have been levied and service and other charges have accrued for such purpose but have not been collected by the metropolitan municipal corporation prior to such assumption, the same when collected shall belong and be paid to the county and be used by such county so far as necessary for payment of the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation existing and unpaid on the date such county assumed that indebtedness. Any funds received by the county which have been collected for the purpose of paying any bonded or other indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be used for the purpose for which they were collected and for no other purpose until such indebtedness has been paid and retired or adequate provision has been made for such payment and retirement. No transfer of property as provided in *this act shall derogate from the claims or rights of the creditors of the metropolitan municipal corporation or impair the ability of the metropolitan municipal corporation to respond to its debts and obligations.

RCW 36.56.121 Maintenance plan.

As a condition of receiving state funding, a county that has assumed the transportation functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation shall submit a maintenance and preservation management plan for certification by the department of transportation. The plan must inventory all transportation system assets within the direction and control of the county, and provide a preservation plan based on lowest life-cycle cost methodologies. As a condition of receiving state funding, a county that has assumed the transportation functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation shall submit a maintenance and preservation management plan for certification by the department of transportation. The plan must inventory all transportation system assets within the direction and control of the county, and provide a preservation plan based on lowest life-cycle cost methodologies.

RCW 36.56.130 Green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen — Power to produce, distribute, and use.

(1) A county that has assumed the transportation functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation may: (a) Produce, distribute, and use green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen for internal operations; (b) Produce, distribute for sale, or sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer; and (c)(i) Sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer to or through facilities that distribute, compress, store, liquefy, or dispense green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel. (ii) For the purposes of (c)(i) of this subsection, county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporations may own, operate, or own and operate pipelines or dispensing facilities for green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel if all such pipelines and dispensing facilities are: (A) Located in the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service; (B) located within the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service and are service connected; or (C) located within the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service and are pursuant to a partnership or agreement with one or more public or private partners. (2) Nothing in this section authorizes a county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation to sell green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen delivered by pipeline to an end-use customer of a gas company. (3) Nothing in this section subjects a county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, except that the utilities and transportation commission may administer and enforce state and federal pipeline safety requirements, as authorized in chapter 81.88 RCW, including applicable fees payable to the utilities and transportation commission. (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Green electrolytic hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190 . (b) "Renewable hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190 . (c) "Gas company" has the same meaning provided in RCW 80.04.010 . (1) A county that has assumed the transportation functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation may: (a) Produce, distribute, and use green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen for internal operations; (b) Produce, distribute for sale, or sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer; and (c)(i) Sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer to or through facilities that distribute, compress, store, liquefy, or dispense green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel. (ii) For the purposes of (c)(i) of this subsection, county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporations may own, operate, or own and operate pipelines or dispensing facilities for green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel if all such pipelines and dispensing facilities are: (A) Located in the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service; (B) located within the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service and are service connected; or (C) located within the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service and are pursuant to a partnership or agreement with one or more public or private partners. (2) Nothing in this section authorizes a county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation to sell green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen delivered by pipeline to an end-use customer of a gas company. (3) Nothing in this section subjects a county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, except that the utilities and transportation commission may administer and enforce state and federal pipeline safety requirements, as authorized in chapter 81.88 RCW, including applicable fees payable to the utilities and transportation commission. (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Green electrolytic hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190 . (b) "Renewable hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190 . (c) "Gas company" has the same meaning provided in RCW 80.04.010 .

RCW 36.56.900 Severability — Construction — 1977 ex.s. c 277.

If any provision of this 1977 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. In the event the provisions in RCW 36.56.040 requiring approval by both the voters of a central city and the county voters residing outside of the central city are held to be invalid, then such provisions shall be severable and the ballot proposition on the transfer of the metropolitan municipal corporation to the county shall be decided by the majority vote of the voters voting thereon in a countywide election. If any provision of this 1977 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. In the event the provisions in RCW 36.56.040 requiring approval by both the voters of a central city and the county voters residing outside of the central city are held to be invalid, then such provisions shall be severable and the ballot proposition on the transfer of the metropolitan municipal corporation to the county shall be decided by the majority vote of the voters voting thereon in a countywide election.

RCW 36.56.910 Effective date — 1977 ex.s. c 277.

This 1977 amendatory act shall take effect July 1, 1978. This 1977 amendatory act shall take effect July 1, 1978.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=36.56&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026