BILL REQ. #:  S-0440.1 

Read first time 01/15/2003.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water.

     AN ACT Relating to certain lands in Tacoma used for school and playground purposes; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that in 1907, by legislative enactment, the state of Washington dedicated certain lands within the city of Tacoma for street, park, and boulevard purposes, and provided that the interest would revert to the state in the event the lands were used for other purposes. The legislature further finds that a portion of such lands is adjacent to Jefferson elementary school, and that Tacoma public schools, by permission from the city of Tacoma, has utilized these lands for park and playground purposes in conjunction with the operation of the school. The legislature further finds that Tacoma public schools plan to renovate the elementary school, and that the renovation will result in a small portion of the footprint of the school buildings being located on the above-mentioned lands dedicated by the state to the city of Tacoma. Tacoma public schools have requested that the city of Tacoma approve a street vacation of these lands to further this renovation, and that the legislature declare that the reversionary provision in the 1907 legislation not be applicable to this renovation. The legislature finds that the renovation and uses of the lands dedicated to the city of Tacoma is fully consistent with the purposes of the dedication in 1907, that public access and recreational use of the school playgrounds will continue to be provided, and that this act is necessary to ensure that the reversionary provision in the enactment is not applicable to uses of these lands.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The city of Tacoma or its successor in interest, including Tacoma public schools, may use the lands described as block 279, being a part of school section 36, township 21 north, range 2 east Willamette Meridian, as shown on the amended map of second school land addition to the city of Tacoma referenced in section 2, chapter 123, Laws of 1907, for public school purposes. The city of Tacoma may vacate all or a portion of the street bordering such lands for school purposes. Any reversionary interest declared in section 2, chapter 123, Laws of 1907 is extinguished to the extent that such lands are used for public school purposes or other purposes under the declaration of such 1907 legislative enactment.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.