Brief Description: Amending the Constitution to provide for a simple majority of voters voting to authorize a school levy.

Sponsors: By Representatives Schual-Berke, Chase, Wallace, Hudgins, Sells, Kenney, Appleton, Pedersen, Ormsby, Hasegawa, Lovick, Haigh, Dunshee, Hunt, Simpson, Lantz, Hunter, Williams, Linville, Goodman, Conway, Springer, Hurst, Campbell, P. Sullivan, Miloscia, Kelley, Moeller, Green, Rolfes, Eddy, Santos, Fromhold and Haler; by request of Governor Gregoire.

House Committee on Education
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Background:

The Washington Constitution gives school districts the power to levy additional taxes beyond the 1 percent limit on property tax. Excess property taxes for school districts can be approved in two ways:

(1)   Forty percent voter turnout. If the number of voters who turn out for the election exceeds 40 percent of those who participated in the last general election in the district, then the levy is approved if at least 60 percent of the voters vote "yes."

(2)   Less than 40 percent voter turnout. In this case, a levy is approved if the number of "yes" votes is a number at least equal to 24 percent (60 percent of 40 percent) of the total number of votes cast in the last general election in the district.

School districts may submit a levy proposition to the voters at a special or regular election but not more than twice in 12 months.

To amend the Constitution, a bill must be passed by a two-thirds majority of both houses of the Legislature and approved by a majority of voters at the next general election.

Summary:

An amendment to the Washington Constitution is proposed so that excess property tax levies for school districts are authorized by a simple majority of voters voting in a levy election. The amendment removes the 40 percent election validation requirement for levy elections.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   79   19
Senate   33   16