HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2011

Title:  An act relating to authorizing school levies for periods not exceeding four years.

Brief Description:  Authorizing school levies for periods not exceeding four years.

Sponsors:  Representatives Wensman, Cole, H. Sommers, Talcott, B. Thomas, Regala, Constantine, Ballasiotes, Radcliff, D. Schmidt, Carlson, Clements, Dyer, Bush, Johnson, Cairnes, Quall, Morris, Keiser, Linville, Veloria, L. Thomas, Backlund, Cooke, Kenney, Poulsen, Hatfield, Dickerson, Ogden, Kessler, Blalock, Tokuda, Conway, Costa and Honeyford.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  March 3, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Joe Hauth (786-7111).

Background: The Washington State Constitution specifies that propositions to levy additional taxes for school operating purposes be limited to a period of two years.  For a district operating levy to continue, it must be reauthorized by the voters every two years.

Article VII, section 2 of the constitution requires the Legislature to affirm this taxing authority in statute.

Local school boards submit levies for initial voter consideration at either a state primary, state general election, or on other election dates as provided by law.  Levies may be for a single year or for two years.  If the voters do not pass the first levy request, the levy may be submitted a second time (OSPI, 1996). 

Summary of Bill:  State laws that limit the allowable time period for a school operating levy are modified.  Propositions to levy additional taxes for school operating purposes may be for a period of up to four years.

The act takes effect provided that the people of Washington State approve an accompanying constitutional amendment at the next general election.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 26, 1997.

Effective Date: Provides for a contingent effective date.