SB 6314

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6314

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.

As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 31, 2008

Title: An act relating to providing funds to establish and sustain public school arts programs.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/16/08, 1/31/08 [DPS-WM].

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6314 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Holmquist, Kauffman, McDermott, Oemig, Rasmussen and Weinstein.

Background: When the state lottery (Lottery) was originally established in 1982, the Legislature deposited the net lottery revenues into the state General Fund. In 1995 and 1997, the Legislature dedicated a portion of net lottery proceeds to pay off bonds issued to construct sports stadiums in Seattle. The portion of lottery revenue dedicated to the debt service on the bonds for the Safeco Field baseball stadium grows at 4 percent per year, and is estimated to total 9.6 million dollars in the 2007-09 fiscal biennium.

As a result of the passage of Initiative 728 in 2000, all other net lottery revenues were dedicated for educational purposes. For fiscal years 2001-2004, remaining net lottery revenues were divided between the Student Achievement Fund and the Education Construction Fund. Since fiscal year 2005, all net lottery revenues otherwise dedicated have been deposited into the Education Construction Fund.

The lottery distribution for the Safeco Field bonds ceases on the earlier of bond retirement or 20 years after imposition of the local sales tax for the stadium. Based on current forecasts, the Safeco Field bonds will be paid off early. The current payoff date is projected to occur during the 2011 fiscal year. After the retirement of the Safeco Field bonds, this portion of net lottery revenue will be deposited in the Education Construction Fund.

The Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) is the state agency established in 1961 to support the arts as essential to the state's social, educational and economic growth and to contribute to Washington's quality of life and the well-being of its citizens. The WSAC is governed by a board of four legislators and 19 Governor-appointed citizens. The strategic plan includes the goal to improve teaching and learning by supporting and promoting sustainable arts-infused curricula and programs in K-12 public schools.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): When lottery revenues cease to be distributed for debt services on the baseball stadium bonds, that portion of the lottery revenues will be deposited in the School Arts Program Account, which is created in the State Treasury.

Beginning with the 2012-13 school year and each school year thereafter, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must distribute a per student allocation to school districts for art programs based on the number of full time equivalent students. Only school districts may receive the allocation.

To the maximum extent possible, the OSPI and school districts must acknowledge the Washington State lottery as the source of funding for the arts programs funded from the per student allocations.

By December 1, 2012, the OSPI must submit a report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature. The report must include information on the amounts of per student allocations to school districts for art programs; summary of information on how school districts utilized the per student allocations; and the impact of the programs and activities resulting from these allocation on student outcomes.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The substitute bill changed the competitive grant program to a per student allocation to school districts for art programs. It removed the administrative role of the Washington State Arts Commission and tasked OSPI with administering the per student allocation. The possible recipients were limited to only school districts. The substitute bill also requires OSPI to submit a report on the impact of the per student art allocations by December 1, 2012.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: One of the ideas behind an arts-infused curriculum is an effort to educate the 'whole' child. When you harness the artistic creativity of a child, you get creative problem-solvers and rule makers. Every child has a creative spark, but it must be nurtured. When students are allowed to express themselves through the arts, we find that they understand classwork on a much deeper level which crosses all disciplines. The arts-infused model provides evidence that, when integrated, academic test scores have improved. In addition, involvement in the arts helps to prevent school dropouts by offering a lifeline which some students desperately need to stay connected. The OSPI supports the bill because the arts in schools have largely been forgotten and the arts contribute to success in school and in life.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; Fern Tresvan, Vancouver School for the Arts and Academics; Robert Butts, OSPI; Kris Tucker, Washington State Arts Commission.