SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5458

                    As of February 12, 1997

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:  Senators Goings, McAuliffe, Winsley, Kohl, Bauer, Hochstatter, Patterson, Wood, Finkbeiner, Newhouse, Hale, Deccio, Sheldon, McCaslin, Spanel, Loveland, McDonald, Strannigan, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Fairley, Snyder, Johnson, Franklin, Kline, Brown and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/14/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Karen Carter (786-7424)

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 that the Legislature affirm this taxing authority in statute.

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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 4, 1997.

Effective Date:  The bill contains a contingency clause and takes effect if a constitutional amendment providing for up to four-year school operating levies is validly submitted, approved and ratified by the voters and certified by the Secretary of State.