H-4233

AN ACT Relating to community college benefit districts; adding new sections to chapter 28B.50 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislative authority of any county may submit a ballot proposition to voters of all or a portion of the county authorizing the creation of a community college benefit district for the purpose of funding costs associated with improving the quality of instruction at community colleges. The legislative authorities of any two or more counties may submit a ballot proposition to the voters of all or part of the counties authorizing the creation of a community college benefit district.

(2) A community college benefit district is a quasi-municipal corporation and shall have the power to enter into contracts with community colleges for the purpose of funding costs associated with improving the quality of instruction in community colleges located within the district's boundaries. The legislative authority of any county or counties forming such a district may provide staff necessary to carry out the purposes of the district.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A county legislative authority proposing to establish a community college benefit district shall conduct a hearing at the time and place specified in a notice published at least once, not less than ten days prior to the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed community college benefit district. This notice shall be in addition to any other notice required by law to be published. Additional notice of the hearing may be given by mail, posting within the proposed community college benefit district, or in any manner the county legislative authority deems necessary to notify affected persons. All hearings shall be public and the county legislative authority shall hear objections from any person affected by the formation of the community college benefit district.

(2) Following the hearing held under subsection (1) of this section, the county legislative authority may adopt a resolution providing for the submission of a ballot proposition to establish a community college benefit district. Such ballot proposition shall be submitted to the affected voters at the next general election held sixty or more days after the adoption of the resolution providing for the submittal by the county legislative authority. The resolution shall establish the boundaries of the proposed community college benefit district and include a finding that the creation of the district is in the public interest and that the area included within the district can reasonably be expected to benefit from its creation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:

The ballot proposition to create a community college benefit district shall include language authorizing a community college benefit district, if the district is created, to impose an excise tax of up to two dollars per full-time equivalent employee per month on all employers or any class or classes of employers, public and private, including any state agency located in the district's jurisdiction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The management and control of a community college benefit district shall be vested in a board of seven trustees appointed by the legislative authority or authorities forming the district. Four of the trustees shall be appointed for an initial term of four years. The remaining trustees shall be appointed for an initial term of two years. Thereafter, each trustee shall be appointed for a term of four years. No person may serve for more than two consecutive terms. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen. A community college benefit district trustee shall not receive a salary or other compensation for services as trustee, but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid from the community college benefit district funds. A community college benefit district trustee may be removed only by vote of the legislative body of the county or counties forming the district.

(2) The trustees, immediately after their appointment, shall meet and organize by the election of such officers as they deem necessary. They shall:

(a) Adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the community college benefit district as they deem expedient;

(b) Submit annually to the legislative body a budget containing estimates in detail of the amount of money necessary for the community college benefit district for the ensuing year;

(d) Accept such gifts of money or property for community college benefit district purposes as they deem expedient; and

(e) Do all other acts necessary for the orderly and efficient management and control of the community college benefit district.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:

If a ballot proposition is approved pursuant to section 2 of this act, a community college benefit district may, with voter approval, impose an excise tax of up to two dollars per full-time equivalent employee per month on all employers or any class or classes of employers, public and private, including any state agency located in the district's jurisdiction. The district imposing the tax authorized in this section may provide for exemptions from the tax to such educational, cultural, health, charitable, or religious organizations it deems appropriate. A community college benefit district may contract with the department of revenue or other appropriate entities for administration and collection of the tax. Such contract shall provide for deduction of an amount for administration and collection expenses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.