H-0308.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1073

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Representatives B. Thomas, Thompson, Boldt, Wensman, Ogden, Kessler, Dyer, Mielke and Backlund

Read first time 01/13/97.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Authorizing the use of school facilities for neighborhood activities and services.

    AN ACT Relating to funding community use of public schools; adding a new section to chapter 84.52 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.500 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that neighborhood activity centers create a sense of community that, in turn, deters crime and promotes mutual respect and cooperation.

    The legislature further finds that public school facilities are well-suited to serve as neighborhood activity centers since schools are often located in the center of neighborhoods.  In addition, schools can be used more efficiently and productively if they are readily available for neighborhood activities and services during nonschool hours.

    The legislature further finds that communities should be afforded the opportunity to fund school facilities in a manner that maximizes use and ensures that education funds are not diverted to nonschool purposes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 84.52 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) In addition to the maximum dollar amount that may be levied by any school district for maintenance and operation support under RCW 84.52.0531, a supplemental levy for use of school facilities for community activities and services may be authorized by the directors of any school district and approved at a general or special election.

    (2) Such supplemental levy shall not exceed three percent of the district's levy base as determined by RCW 84.52.0531(4) and may only be used for community activities and services authorized by the school district board of directors.

    (3) The school board in a school district authorizing a levy under this section shall appoint a citizen advisory committee to advise the district on the appropriate use of facilities for community activities and services and on the expenditure of the supplemental levy funds.

    (4) Property tax statements issued by city and county treasurers shall clearly indicate that the taxes raised by the approval of the supplemental tax levy are to be used for the community use of school facilities.  The tax statement shall have a separate line item for these taxes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.500 RCW to read as follows:

    Approval of a supplemental levy authorized by section 2 of this act does not entitle a school district to local effort assistance funds as defined by RCW 28A.500.010.

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