SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5354

                    AS OF JANUARY 27, 1993

Brief Description:  Changing which counties may create public facilities districts.

SPONSORS: Senators Newhouse, Haugen and Deccio

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates: February 2, 1993

BACKGROUND:

A public facilities district may be created in any county with 300,000 or more population that is located more than 100 miles from any county in which the state has constructed and owns a convention center (Spokane is the only county that currently qualifies).  The public facilities district is governed by a board of directors and is authorized to acquire, construct, own and operate sports and entertainment facilities with contiguous parking facilities.  The district must be countywide and can only be created by a vote of the people.  The public facilities district may impose an excise tax on lodging rooms not to exceed 2 percent.  This excise tax must terminate upon final payment of all bonded indebtedness for the sports and entertainment facility.  A special property tax levy is also authorized.  The public facilities district may also issue general obligation bonds.

SUMMARY:

Authorization for a public facilities district is expanded to include any county with 150,000 or more population whose county seat is located more than 100 miles from the county seat of any in which the state has constructed and owns a convention center (Clark and Yakima Counties).

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested