SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6879
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 Passed Senate, February 13, 2008
Title: An act relating to the joint task force on basic education finance.
Brief Description: Regarding the joint task force on basic education finance.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Tom, McDermott and Rasmussen).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/4/08, 2/6/08 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 2/13/08, 47-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6879 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Eide, Hobbs, Holmquist, McDermott, Oemig, Weinstein and Zarelli.
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: In 2007 the Legislature created the Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance
(task force), which was directed to review the definition of basic education and the current basic
education funding formulas, develop options for a new funding structure and all necessary
formulas, and propose a new definition of basic education.
The Washington Institution for Public Policy supports the task force and was required to provide
three reports to the task force:
1) an initial report by September 15, 2007, proposing an initial plan of action, reporting
dates, and timelines;
2) a second report by December 1, 2007, with at least two but not more than four options for
allocating school employee compensation; and
3) a final report by September 15, 2008, with at least two but no more than four options for
revising the remaining K-12 funding structure, a timeline for phasing in the full adoption
of the new funding structure, and a projection of the expected effect of the investment
made under the new funding structure.
There was no date provided for the completion of the work of the task force.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The task force must specifically consider equalizing salary allocations. By December 1, 2008, the task force must report the options developed for a new funding structure and all necessary formulas, and propose a new definition of basic education.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: It is important that the task force have a date for when their work will be due to ensure the completion of the task assigned. The date provides a target for completion and emphasizes the urgency for the task to be accomplished. This date is appropriate since it permits the information to be available for consideration by the Governor when developing the Governor's budget and by the Legislature during the next legislative session.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Linda Hanson, Washington State PTA; Bill Freund, Washington Education Association; Mitch Denning Alliance of Education Associations; Barbara Mertens, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dan Steele, Washington State School Directors Association.