OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate passed House Bill 1332, the watershed management partnerships act, but not before being amended by Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood. 

Under the original version of the bill, a watershed management partnership could exercise powers of forming smaller, non-elected government entities, in this case the Cascade Water Alliance, which could have been allowed to seize property under eminent domain. Carrell believed that other quasi-government entities would inevitably be granted the right of eminent domain, and his amendment would require elected officials to affirm or deny the entity’s property condemnation, thereby forcing them to stand by the actions of the body they created. 

“Some members were excused from voting on my amendment and it came down to a 23-23 tie,” Carrell said. “Lt. Gov. Brad Owen didn’t hesitate for a minute when he cast his tiebreaking vote in favor of my amendment. It’s a huge win for preserving the fundamental precepts of our constitution.” 

Carrell felt that under the original bill, cities or counties could come together, form a semi-independent organization and be granted the power to condemn property so that elected officials wouldn’t have to take a direct vote and be held responsible. He added that eminent domain is a fundamental, bedrock issue that the state constitution covers thoroughly, and he’s pleased that with the bipartisan support of the lieutenant governor, the amendment is now part of the bill. 

“This amendment makes it very clear that government must take responsibility if it is to exercise the privilege of eminent domain and not delegate it to an unelected body,” Carrell said. “Government should only be taking property when absolutely necessary and with good purpose, and the very officials that we’ve elected – who can be unelected – should be the only ones given that responsibility.” 

The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for concurrence.