HB 1930

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 1930

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Increasing the term of nonvoter approved rural library district general obligation bonds.

Sponsors: Representative Williams.

Brief Summary of Bill

Increases from six to twenty years the maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds issued by intercounty rural library districts, rural county library districts, and island library districts.

Hearing Date: 2/13/07

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

Categories of Library Districts
State law provides for the establishment, management, and operation of different categories of library districts, including rural county library districts, intercounty rural library districts, and island library districts. In general, the organization and service areas of these districts is as follows:

A rural county library district is a municipal corporation organized to provide library services to all the area of a county not included within incorporated cities and towns;
An intercounty rural library district is a municipal corporation organized to provide library service for all areas outside of incorporated cities and towns within two or more counties; and
An island library district is a municipal corporation organized to provide library service for all areas outside of incorporated cities and towns on a single island only, and not all of the area of the county. Island library districts may only be established in counties composed entirely of islands with fewer than 25,000 residents at the time the library district was created.

In addition to the criteria specified above, any city or town with a population of one hundred thousand or less at the time of annexation may be included within a rural county, intercounty rural, or island library district.

Taxing Authority of Library Districts
Property taxes may be levied by county legislative authorities for the establishment and maintenance of library services, subject to statutory requirements. The legislative body for rural county library districts, intercounty rural library districts, and island library districts is composed of appointed district trustees and is authorized to determine the amount of taxes to be levied for these districts.

Indebtedness and Bonding Authority
Rural county library districts, intercounty rural library districts, or island library districts may contract indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds, subject to statutory requirements and limitations. The maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds must not exceed six years.

Summary of Bill:

The maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds issued by a rural county library district, intercounty rural library district, or island library district is increased from six to 20 years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.