FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2682

                         C 258 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Authorizing elections to create library capital facilities areas at any general or special election.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Hymes, Wolfe, Honeyford and Reams).

House Committee on Capital Budget

Senate Committee on Government Operations

Background:  Library systems may be operated by various types of library districts or by cities, towns, or counties.  A library district may be established in part of a county, may be county-wide, or may include several counties.  A library district is governed by a five- or seven-member board of library trustees appointed by the legislative authority of the county or counties in which the library district is located.

Construction of new library facilities may be financed by a district-wide levy, or by a city or town which has been annexed into a larger library district.  Before 1995, a community smaller than the library district, or not contiguous with a city or town, had no method to finance the construction or acquisition of a new library facility.

In 1995, legislation was enacted to authorize the establishment of library capital facilities areas to finance the construction or acquisition of library facilities.  A library capital facilities area must be approved by the majority of voters in the proposed area voting at a general election.  The election is called by the legislative authority of the county or counties in which the area is located upon the receipt of a petition from the library district board.  In the petition, the governing bodies must agree to the allocation of election costs. 

The library capital facility area may issue bonds paid through an excess levy on property in the area.  Excess levy elections may occur only at general elections.

Summary:  The 1995 legislation authorizing library capital facilities areas is amended in two ways.  First, the phrase library capital "facilities" area is changed to library capital "facility" area.  Second, a proposition to establish the library capital facility areas and authorize excess levies may be placed on the ballot at a general or special election.  County legislative authorities are encouraged to request such elections at general elections or already scheduled special elections.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     98 0

Senate    47 0 (Senate amended)

House     94 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  June 6, 1996