Bill > SB5930

This bill addresses challenges faced by irrigation district directors in rural communities regarding conflicts of interest in contracts. Specifically, the legislation amends existing law to expand an exemption that previously applied only to public hospital district commissioners to now include irrigation district directors. Under the new provisions, an irrigation district director can have a contract with their district if certain conditions are met: the spouse was employed by the district before the director was initially elected, the contract terms match existing pay scales or collective bargaining agreements, the director's potential conflict of interest is disclosed in official minutes, and the director does not vote on their own contract's authorization or approval. The legislature explicitly recognizes that previous conflict of interest statutes may have unintentionally prevented qualified individuals from serving in rural irrigation districts, and seeks to create more flexible rules that still maintain reasonable protections against inappropriate conflicts of interest. By making these changes, the bill aims to help rural irrigation districts more easily recruit and retain qualified directors while maintaining transparency and ethical standards.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5930&Year=2025&Initiative=false