FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6069

                          C 277 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing additional nonvoter‑approved municipal indebtedness.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Winsley, Prentice and Pelz)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

Cities and towns may not incur indebtedness exceeding 0.75 percent of the value of the taxable property in such city or town without approval of 60 percent of the voters voting at an election held to approve such indebtedness.  This limit also applies to counties and hospital districts.  Different limits are placed on other taxing districts.

It is believed cities and towns should be permitted to incur a higher level of indebtedness without having to seek the approval of 60 percent of the voters.

SUMMARY:

The threshold at which 60 percent voter approval is required for counties, cities or towns to incur indebtedness is increased from 0.75 percent to 1.5 percent of the value of the taxable property of such county, city or town.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    30   16

House     61   36

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994