SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5807

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Education, February 28, 1995

Title:  An act relating to school district public surveys.

Brief Description:  Allowing school boards to distribute public surveys for limited purposes.

Sponsors:  Senator McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/21/95, 2/28/95 [DPS, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5807 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pelz, Vice Chair; Gaspard and Rasmussen.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Finkbeiner, Hochstatter and Johnson.

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

Background:  Under current law, school boards may spend funds to prepare and distribute information to the public about the school districts' instructional programs and the operation and maintenance of schools.  However, this information cannot be used to influence the outcome of school district elections.

School districts have sponsored surveys to attempt to determine public opinion about a levy or a bond issue.  School district officials have been informed by the Public Disclosure Commission that they cannot ask these questions if the questions appear to be designed to influence the outcome of a future election.

Summary of Substitute Bill:   School districts may spend funds to determine public concerns and opinions about districts' instructional programs.  Districts may also spend funds to get information to help the board decide whether to hold elections on particular funding measures.  Current law applies, and this information cannot be used to influence the outcome of a school district election.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Technical changes are made dividing the statute into subsections.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This gives school districts the right to ask for the public's opinion to help decide whether or not to put a measure on the ballot.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dwayne Slate, WSSDA.