Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, has been named the Outstanding Legislator of 2011 by the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.

"Sen. Pridemore was instrumental in passing legislation which will result in cost-savings and efficiencies to our districts," said Joe Daniels, an association spokesman. "He's made government a little leaner and a little smarter."

"These aren't sexy bills, but they're good examples of the little things we can do to improve the way government runs," Pridemore said. "Little things like this can make a big difference over time."

The association honored Pridemore from among his Senate peers along with Rep. Dean Takko, D-Longview, in the House of Representatives for work they did this session on a pair of bills that made it easier to appoint technically savvy committee members and to sell property of small value.

“Most of our legislation is not exciting but they do save money and they do help with district planning and with the cost of operations,” Daniels said. “I can assure you that the more than 170 water sewer districts across the state know what Sen. Pridemore did and how important it was.”

One piece of legislation, Senate Bill 5032 (House Bill 1074), authorizes water-sewer districts to appoint a manager or technical person, instead of a commissioner, to serve on a metropolitan water pollution abatement advisory committee.

The second measure, Senate Bill 5033 (House Bill 1075), allows a district to sell property worth $5,000 or less without requiring formal written appraisals. “Craig’s bill allows us to sell the property as a reasonable cost,” Daniels said. Prior to the change in law, he said, “it would cost us more to do the appraisals than we would get on the property sale.”

Daniels credited Pridemore’s experience in local government, where he served as Clark County commissioner from 1999 through 2004 prior to winning election to the Senate, for his understanding of municipal needs.

“One of our districts, Clark Utility District, has had a long-term relationship with him,” Daniels said. “He understands the issues facing local government and he brings a local government perspective. It really helps us do our job.”