HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6203

                  As Passed House - Amended

                        March 4, 1994

Title:  An act relating to limits on rural partial‑county library districts.

Brief Description:  Changing limits on rural partial‑county library districts.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, Haugen and Spanel.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, February 25, 1994, DP.

Passed House - Amended, March 4, 1994, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives H. Myers, Chair; Springer, Vice Chair; Edmondson, Ranking Minority Member; Reams, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dunshee; R. Fisher; Horn; Moak; Rayburn; Van Luven and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  In 1993 the Legislature authorized the creation of rural partial-county library districts.  A necessary requirement for the formation of such a district is that the proposed district have an assessed value of at least $50 million.  The purpose of this requirement is to assure that the new district has sufficient revenue, based upon a maximum levy of 50 cents per $1,000 in assessed value, to operate a viable and efficient library system.

In the event a rural partial-county library district were to contract for library services through an interlocal agreement with an existing neighboring library district, the minimum assessed valuation requirement should not be necessary.

Summary of Bill:  The condition that a rural partial-county library district have an assessed valuation of not less than $50 million is repealed.  If, at the time of creation, a rural partial-county library district has an assessed valuation of less than $50 million, it may provide library services only by contracting for the services through an interlocal agreement with an adjacent library district or adjacent city or town that maintains its own library.  If the assessed valuation of the district subsequently rises above $50 million, this limitation shall not apply.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This legislation will enable rural areas to have access to library services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Thelma Kruse, Timberland Regional Library.