SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2617
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. |
As Passed Senate, March 3, 2020
Title: An act relating to the lease or rental of surplus property of school districts.
Brief Description: Concerning the lease or rental of surplus property of school districts.
Sponsors: Representatives Robinson, Ortiz-Self, Sells, Macri, Valdez, Lekanoff and Senn.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/18/20, 70-28.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/24/20 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate: 3/03/20, 38-10.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hunt, McCoy, Mullet, Padden, Pedersen, Salomon and Wagoner.
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background: Surplus School District Property. Current state law authorizes every school district board of directors to permit the rental, lease, or occasional use of any surplus real property owned or lawfully held by the district to any person, corporation, or government entity for profit or nonprofit, commercial or noncommercial purposes. Leasing, renting, or use of such property must be for a lawful purpose and must not interfere with the district's educational program and related activities.
The lease or rental agreement must include provisions which permit the recapture of the leased or rented property if such property is needed for school purposes, except in one circumstance. The recapture requirement does not apply when land use, due to proximity to an international airport, has been so permanently altered as to preclude the possible use of the property for a school, and the school property has been so heavily impacted by surrounding land uses a school would no longer be appropriate in that area.
Surplus Public Property for Affordable Housing. Any state agency, municipality, or political subdivision, with authority to dispose of surplus public property, may transfer, lease, or dispose of such property for public benefit purposes when certain requirements are met. Public benefit means affordable housing for low-income and very low-income households, and related facilities that support the goals of affordable housing.
Summary of Bill: The requirement that a school district lease or rental agreement include recapture provisions does not apply when the property is leased or rented for affordable housing purposes and meets statutory requirements for surplus public property.
This provision is remedial and curative in nature, and applies retroactively to any lease or rental agreement entered into on or after January 1, 2018.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 19, 2020.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Many tools are needed to address homelessness in this state, and this bill addresses one of those tools. This bill allows school districts to choose whether to include a recapture provision in a lease for affordable housing. A recapture provision in a lease often does not work for affordable housing financing. A number of school districts are looking at the possibility of entering into long-term leases for affordable housing.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative June Robinson, Prime Sponsor; Rachel Wilkinson Downes, Housing Hope.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.