HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1819

                      As Passed House:

                        March 8, 1999

Title:  An act relating to procedures for changing the names of school districts.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions for school district name changes.

Sponsors:  Representatives Anderson, Barlean, Thomas and O'Brien.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  2/15/99, 2/16/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/8/99, 96-1.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows a school district name change without an election.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Quall, Democratic Co-Chair; Talcott, Republican Co-Chair; Haigh, Democratic Vice Chair; Schindler, Republican Vice Chair; Carlson; Cox; Keiser; Rockefeller; Santos; D. Schmidt; Schual-Berke; Stensen; Sump and Wensman.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:

To change the name of a school district under current law,  10 percent of the registered voters in the district must petition the school board and submit a proposed new name.  The school board accepts or rejects the petition.  If the petition is rejected, the board's decision is final.  If the petition is accepted, and after notice, the board holds a public hearing on the proposed name change; the board can consider other names at the hearing.  The board selects a name to present to the voters at the next special or general election.  If a majority of the voters approve the proposed name change, the new name is recorded in the school district office and appropriate state officials are notified.

Summary of Bill:

The board of directors may change the name of the school district if either 10 percent of the district's registered voters submit a petition for a new name or if the board passes a motion to hold a hearing to change the district name.  In either case, the board, after giving notice,  must hold a public hearing regarding the proposed name change within one month of receiving the petition.  Other names may be proposed at the hearing.  A majority of the board may approve  a new name.  If a new name is adopted, the new name must be recorded in the school district office and appropriate state officials must be notified.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It is very costly to hold an election simply to change the name of the school district.  The notice and public hearing requirements, and the required approval by the school board, are sufficient to enable public input.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. Anderson, prime sponsor.