Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Education Committee
HB 1306
Brief Description: Concerning bond authorization training for school district boards of directors.
Sponsors: Representatives Sells, Santos and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires school district boards of directors to receive training in basic legal requirements and opportunities of public sector capital projects before approving bond authorizations for voter consideration.
  • Directs the Washington State School Directors' Association, in partnership with other entities, to draft model policies and frameworks for the training requirements.
Hearing Date: 2/5/21
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:

School District Bonds.
School district boards of directors (school boards) may borrow money and issue bonds for any capital purpose.  The amount that may be borrowed is limited by the Washington Constitution and state statutes.
 
School boards may submit the question of voter-approved indebtedness to voters residing in the school district.  Prior to doing so, the school board must adopt a resolution validating and ratifying the proposed indebtedness, and the school district superintendent must notify the county auditor of the suggested time and purpose of the election.
 
If the indebtedness proposal is approved by 60 percent of the voters voting at the election, the school board may borrow money and issue and sell negotiable bonds.  Voter approval requirements differ if the proposal before the voters would result in exceeding a constitutionally established debit limit of 1.5 percent of the assessed value of the property in school district.
 
Washington State School Directors' Association.
Established by statute, the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) is the state agency that provides advice and assistance to local school boards.  The WSSDA is charged with coordinating policymaking, control, and management of the state's school districts.  Among other actions, the WSSDA adopts model policies and procedures, often in response to legislative directives, that school districts may adopt.
Summary of Bill:

Prior to approving a bond authorization for voter consideration, each school board member must receive training in basic legal requirements and opportunities of public sector capital projects.  The required training must occur at least every six years.  At a minimum, this training must include:

  • apprenticeship utilization requirements;
  • prevailing wage requirements; and
  • the opportunity for school districts, general contractors, and labor organizations to engage in project labor agreements and community workforce agreements.

 
School districts and educational service districts are encouraged to provide the training using a regional model with assistance and materials provided by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), labor organizations, and associations representing general contractors.
 
The WSSDA, in partnership with the L&I, labor organizations, and associations representing general contractors, must draft model policies and frameworks that satisfy the training requirements.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2021.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on September 1, 2022.