SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6203

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1994

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

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder, Haugen and Spanel

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, McCaslin, Oke, Owen and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1994; February 4, 1994

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

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:

The condition that a rural partial county library district have an assessed valuation of not less than $50 million is repealed.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.  If the assessed valuation of the district subsequently rises above $50 million, this limitation shall not apply.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

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

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Snyder, prime sponsor (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

A rural partial-county library district is permitted to contract for library services with a city or town as well as with another library district.