S-0081.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 8202
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Senators Haugen, Winsley, Drew, Sheldon and C. Anderson
Read first time 01/09/95. Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:
THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state there shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article VII, section 2 of the Constitution of the state of Washington to read as follows:
Article VII, section 2. LIMITATION ON
LEVIES. Except as hereinafter provided and
notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the aggregate of all
tax levies upon real and personal property by the state and all taxing
districts now existing or hereafter created, shall not in any year exceed one
((per centum)) percent of the true and fair value of such
property in money: Provided, however, That nothing herein shall prevent
levies at the rates now provided by law by or for any port or public utility
district. The term "taxing district" for the purposes of this
section shall mean any political subdivision, municipal corporation, district,
or other governmental agency authorized by law to levy, or have levied for it,
ad valorem taxes on property, other than a port or public utility district.
Such aggregate limitation or any specific limitation imposed by law in
conformity therewith may be exceeded only
(a) By any taxing
district when specifically authorized so to do by a majority of at least three‑fifths
of the ((electors)) voters thereof voting on the proposition to
levy such additional tax submitted not more than twelve months prior to the
date on which the proposed levy is to be made and not oftener than twice in
such twelve month period, either at a special election or at the regular election
of such taxing district, at which election the number of ((persons)) voters
voting "yes" on the proposition shall constitute three‑fifths
of a number equal to forty ((per centum)) percent of the total
votes cast in such taxing district at the last preceding general election when
the number of ((electors)) voters voting on the proposition does
not exceed forty ((per centum)) percent of the total votes cast
in such taxing district in the last preceding general election; or by a
majority of at least three‑fifths of the ((electors)) voters
thereof voting on the proposition to levy when the number of ((electors))
voters voting on the proposition exceeds forty ((percentum)) percent
of the total votes cast in such taxing district in the last preceding general
election: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of this
Constitution, any proposition pursuant to this subsection to levy additional
tax for the support of the common schools may provide such support for a two
year period and any proposition to levy an additional tax to support the
construction, modernization, or remodelling of school facilities may provide
such support for a period not exceeding six years;
(b) By any taxing
district otherwise authorized by law to issue general obligation bonds for
capital purposes, for the sole purpose of making the required payments of
principal and interest on general obligation bonds issued solely for capital
purposes, other than the replacement of equipment, when authorized so to do by
majority of at least three‑fifths of the ((electors)) voters
thereof voting on the proposition to issue such bonds and to pay the principal
and interest thereon by an annual tax levy in excess of the limitation herein
provided during the term of such bonds, submitted not oftener than twice in any
calendar year, at an election held in the manner provided by law for bond
elections in such taxing district, at which election the total number of ((persons))
voters voting on the proposition shall constitute not less than forty ((per
centum)) percent of the total number of votes cast in such taxing
district at the last preceding general election: Provided, That any
such taxing district shall have the right by vote of its governing body to
refund any general obligation bonds of said district issued for capital
purposes only, and to provide for the interest thereon and amortization thereof
by annual levies in excess of the tax limitation provided for herein, And
provided further, That the provisions of this section shall also be subject
to the limitations contained in Article VIII, Section 6, of this Constitution;
(c) By the state or any taxing district for the purpose of paying the principal or interest on general obligation bonds outstanding on December 6, 1934; or for the purpose of preventing the impairment of the obligation of a contract when ordered so to do by a court of last resort;
(d) By the state for the purpose of funding state fire protection services in an amount not to exceed two cents per thousand dollars of assessed value per year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause notice of the foregoing constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.
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