Senate bill tightens condemnation rules

OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate, seeking to strengthen protections for property owners, voted Friday to require governments to give clear notice to private citizens who stand to lose their property to condemnation for public projects.

Senators also endorsed plans for a new state veterans cemetery in Eastern Washington, and approved college tuition waivers for children and spouses of military and National Guard members permanently injured or killed in Iraq and other conflicts.

The upper chamber unanimously approved a measure requiring more rigorous notification of citizens before their property is condemned through eminent domain for a public purpose.

Senate Bill 5444 is a reaction to a state Supreme Court decision involving Barbara and Ken Miller, who had property in south Tacoma condemned by Sound Transit to make way for a parking lot for a train station.

Sound Transit had posted a notice on its Web site of the meeting where the condemnation action would be taken. The Millers never saw the notice, and appealed. But the high court held that the Web site posting satisfied the notice requirement.

The Miller family was in the galleries as the measure passed. Senators applauded them.

The bill would require state agencies, cities and counties, school districts and other government entities to send certified letters to property owners before voting to take their property. It would also require publication of advance notice of the meeting in the largest area newspaper.

The Senate also approved:

“A new $8 million state veterans cemetery near Spokane for the estimated 140,000 veterans in Eastern Washington. State, federal and local dollars, including proceeds from a state armed forces license plate, would maintain the facility.

“Free state college tuition for children and spouses of military and guard members killed or permanently disabled in war. Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt, Walla Walla, said the college help is “the least we can do for those families who are left behind.”

“A “streamlined” sales tax system, joining with 21 other states in an easier, more uniform system for remote retailers operating in multiple states, including those selling by mail order or over the Internet. Sales taxes often don’t get collected on such sales.