DISSOLUTION OF A HOSPITAL DISTRICT

DISSOLUTION OF A HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

A public hospital district may be completely dissolved but may not be partially dissolved.

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                                                                    April 4, 1952 

Honorable Robert S. Campbell, Jr.
Prosecuting Attorney
Grant County
Ephrata, Washington                                                                                                              Cite as:  AGO 51-53 No. 281

 Dear Sir:

             We acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 14, 1952, wherein you state:

             "One of our hospital districts is interested in dissolving.  There is a possibility that some of the people would like to petition for a partial dissolution of the hospital district.  A petition such as they would propose would amount to actually taking out two of the three districts and leaving one district remaining.

             "One of the first problems that would be caused by such a petition would be the fact that if one portion of the district were going to remain it would mean that actually the petitioners would have to propose that the remaining district be divided into three sections, and they would also need new elections on the commissioners.  I could find no procedure in the Statutes for such action, and it was my own opinion that it would be impossible to do anything unless they were able to obtain a complete dissolution.

              [[Orig. Op. Page 2]]

            "Will you please advise us the procedure that you think possible to dissolve the district either in total or in part."

             Our conclusions may be summarized by stating that a hospital district may be totally dissolved but may not be partially dissolved.

                                                                      ANALYSIS

             We concur in your opinion that the hospital district may not be partially dissolved.  We find no statutory provision for partial dissolution of a public hospital district; but such district may be dissolved in its entirety as provided by chapter 87, Laws of 1941, (§ 8931-11 et seq. Rem. Supp. 1941).

            In order to effectuate the result described in your letter it is our opinion that the hospital district must be dissolved pursuant to the above mentioned statutes, and then organize a hospital district which would include within its boundaries that area desired by the voters.  Section 6090-30 et seq. Rem. Supp. 1945, particularly section 6090-33 provides for organizing a public hospital district which would include within its boundaries an area less than a county.  The hospital district as described in your letter may be organized pursuant to these statutes.

 Very truly yours,
SMITH TROY
Attorney General 

C. R. NELSON
Assistant Attorney General