SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5726

                              AS OF MARCH 6, 1991

Brief Description:  Requiring the state to reimburse school districts for new programs or increased levels of service under existing programs.

SPONSORS:Senators Conner, Rinehart, Bailey and Bauer.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates:March 6, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Limits are placed upon the amount of money school districts can raise locally.  The Constitution of the state of Washington requires the state to fully fund a basic education.  When state requirements are imposed upon school districts and state funding is not provided, school districts have stated that they do not have the resources to fulfill those state requirements. 

Current law, RCW 43.135.060, provides  a general requirement for reimbursement by the state for state mandated new programs or increased responsibilities on any taxing district.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature is prohibited from imposing on any school district responsibility for new programs or increased levels of service under existing programs, unless the district is reimbursed for the costs by the state.

The costs of any new program or increased levels of service under existing programs imposed on school districts shall be determined by the Legislature in consultation with the Office of Financial Management.

Reimbursements shall include the amount of increased local revenue and state appropriations and distributions that are or could be received by a school district as a result of legislative enactments after 1979.  Litigation pending as of January 1, 1991 is not affected.

Any applicable state tax revenue limit is increased or decreased by the dollar amount of the costs of any school district program transferred to or from the state.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 21, 1991