SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 805

BYHouse Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Taylor, Ebersole, Brough, Haugen, B. Williams, H. Sommers, Sanders, Leonard, Betrozoff, Ballard, Bristow, May, Locke, Braddock, Peery, Walker, Padden, D. Sommers, Amondson, Schoon, L. Smith, Bumgarner and Miller)

Limiting the availability of state matching funds for school plant construction under certain circumstances.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 24, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Craswell, Patterson, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Marcia Costello (786-7419)

                March 25, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

School districts may apply to the State Board of Education for state matching funds for new school construction for unhoused students.  In the past the state had provided matching funds from the sale of timber on state lands.  The decrease in funds generated by the lack of timber sales revenue has resulted in an inability to pay the state matching funds.  The Legislature, the State Board of Education and school districts have begun to search for alternative ways of providing schools for unhoused students when state matching funds are not available.

SUMMARY:

School districts shall be required to lease a vacant school for a reasonable fee to the contiguous school district wherever possible.  No school district with unhoused students may be eligible for state matching percentage for the construction of school plan facilities if:  1) the school district contiguous to the school district applying for the state matching percentage has vacant school plant facilities;  2) the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education have determined the vacant facilities in the contiguous school district will fulfill the needs of the applicant district; and 3) a lease of the vacant school can be negotiated.

In determining whether a contiguous district's vacant school fulfills the need, consideration shall be given, but not limited to, geographic location as it relates to the applicant district.

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Judy Hartmann and Mike Roberts, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction