H-0933.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 4206
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Representatives Springer, H. Myers, Flemming, Edmondson, Orr, Morris, Sheldon, Grant, Chappell, Dorn, R. Meyers, Quall, Peery, Pruitt, Van Luven, Dunshee, Romero, Reams, Brough, Basich, Rayburn, Wineberry and J. Kohl
Read first time 02/03/93. Referred to Committee on Local Government.
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:
THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state there shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article VII, section 2 of the Constitution of the state of Washington to read as follows:
Article VII, section 2. Except as hereinafter
provided and notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the
aggregate of all tax levies upon real and personal property by the state and
all taxing districts now existing or hereafter created, shall not in any year
exceed one ((per centum)) percent of the true and fair value of
such property in money: Provided, however, That nothing herein shall
prevent levies at the rates now provided by law by or for any port or public
utility district: Provided further, however, That nothing herein
shall prevent levies not exceeding an amount equal to one dollar per thousand
dollars of assessed valuation by or for any fire protection district. The
term "taxing district" for the purposes of this section shall mean
any political subdivision, municipal corporation, district, or other
governmental agency authorized by law to levy, or have levied for it, ad
valorem taxes on property, other than a port or public utility district. Such
aggregate limitation or any specific limitation imposed by law in conformity
therewith may be exceeded only
(a) By any taxing district when specifically
authorized so to do by a majority of at least three‑fifths of the ((electors))
voters thereof voting on the proposition to levy such additional tax
submitted not more than twelve months prior to the date on which the proposed
levy is to be made and not oftener than twice in such twelve month period,
either at a special election or at the regular election of such taxing
district, at which election the number of ((persons)) voters
voting "yes" on the proposition shall constitute three‑fifths of
a number equal to forty ((per centum)) percent of the total ((votes
cast)) number of voters voting in such taxing district at the last
preceding general election when the number of ((electors)) voters
voting on the proposition does not exceed forty ((per centum)) percent
of the total ((votes cast)) number of voters voting in such
taxing district in the last preceding general election; or by a majority of at
least three‑fifths of the ((electors)) voters thereof
voting on the proposition to levy when the number of ((electors)) voters
voting on the proposition exceeds forty ((percentum)) percent of
the total ((votes cast)) number of voters voting in such taxing
district in the last preceding general election: Provided, That
notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, any proposition
pursuant to this subsection to levy additional tax for the support of the
common schools may provide such support for a two year period and any
proposition to levy an additional tax to support the construction, modernization,
or remodelling of school facilities may provide such support for a period not
exceeding six years;
(b) By any taxing district otherwise authorized
by law to issue general obligation bonds for capital purposes, for the sole
purpose of making the required payments of principal and interest on general
obligation bonds issued solely for capital purposes, other than the replacement
of equipment, when authorized so to do by majority of at least three‑fifths
of the ((electors)) voters thereof voting on the proposition to
issue such bonds and to pay the principal and interest thereon by an annual tax
levy in excess of the limitation herein provided during the term of such bonds,
submitted not oftener than twice in any calendar year, at an election held in
the manner provided by law for bond elections in such taxing district, at which
election the total number of ((persons)) voters voting on the
proposition shall constitute not less than forty ((per centum)) percent
of the total number of ((votes cast)) voters voting in such
taxing district at the last preceding general election: Provided, That
any such taxing district shall have the right by vote of its governing body to
refund any general obligation bonds of said district issued for capital
purposes only, and to provide for the interest thereon and amortization thereof
by annual levies in excess of the tax limitation provided for herein, And
provided further, That the provisions of this section shall also be subject
to the limitations contained in Article VIII, Section 6, of this Constitution;
(c) By the state or any taxing district for the purpose of paying the principal or interest on general obligation bonds outstanding on December 6, 1934; or for the purpose of preventing the impairment of the obligation of a contract when ordered so to do by a court of last resort.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause notice of the foregoing constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.
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