Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 2094
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Limiting the use of capital levy proceeds to support direct costs associated with technology systems and support.
Sponsors: Representatives Carlyle, Kenney, White, Cody, Nelson, Dickerson, Pettigrew, Morris, Pedersen, Hunt, Hasegawa, Hudgins and Dunshee.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/17/09
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383)
Background:
School districts must establish a general fund for maintenance and operations of the district and a capital projects fund for major capital projects. Proceeds from bond sales, capital fund investments, and excess levies for construction, modernization, or remodeling of school facilities (capital levies) are deposited in the capital projects fund. Under the State Constitution and statute, capital levies may be authorized for up to six years. Some school districts propose "technology levies" to their voters. Technology levies are really capital levies that the school district proposes to use for technology.
Monies in the capital projects fund can only be used for specified purposes. Capital project funds can be used for technology only for costs associated with:
implementing technology systems, facilities, and projects;
acquiring hardware, licensing software, and online applications;
training related to installation of these systems; and
applying and modernizing technology systems for operations and instruction, including:
ongoing fees for on-line applications, subscriptions, or software licenses;
upgrades and incidental services; and
ongoing training related to the installation and integration of these products and services.
Seattle School District is classified as a first-class school district. Seattle is the only city in the state with a population of over 400,000.
Summary of Bill:
School districts are authorized to spend no more than 3 percent of the proceeds from a capital levy or that portion of a capital levy that is expressly authorized for technology purposes as specified under current law on the costs of training or other authorized salary costs. These limitations apply only to a first-class school district having within its boundaries a city with a population of 400,000 or more.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 11, 2009.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.