SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6573

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 of January 31, 2020

Title: An act relating to eliminating the reduction in state basic education funding that occurs in counties with federal and state forestlands.

Brief Description: Eliminating the reduction in state basic education funding that occurs in counties with federal and state forestlands.

Sponsors: Senators Van De Wege, Braun, Nguyen, Wagoner and Wilson, C.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/03/20.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Provides that basic education allocations may not be reduced by the amount of federal or state forest revenue a school district receives.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Alex Fairfortune (786-7416)

Background: Federal Forest Revenue. Each year, the federal government provides 25 percent of the national forest revenue, averaged over the previous six years, to the state in which that national forest is located. This revenue may be expended only for the benefit of the public schools and public roads of the county in which the national forest is located. Under state law, a county must spend 50 percent of the revenue on public schools or public roads, and must distribute the other 50 percent to public school districts in the county in proportion to district student enrollment.

Basic Education Allocation. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) calculates, for each school district, a basic education allocation in dollars per enrolled student. This basic education allocation is derived from formulas provided in the prototypical school funding model and in special education statutes. The amount received by each school district from federal forest revenues is deducted from the basic education allocation, with one exception. If the school district has a poverty level of at least 57 percent, OSPI may only offset forest revenues that exceed $70,000. The 2019 operating budget provided funding so that general apportionment payments in the 2019-21 biennium would not be reduced for school districts receiving federal forest revenues.

Summary of Bill: A school district's basic education allocation may not be reduced by the amount of federal or state forest revenue that school district receives.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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