HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1853

Title:  An act relating to the relationship between school district boundaries and the boundaries of a city or town with a population of less than three thousand.

Brief Description:  Establishing procedure and requirements for the removal and transfer of a portion of certain cities or towns from one school district to another.

Sponsors:  Representatives Smith and Bush.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 21, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Joe Hauth (786-7111).

Background:  The Legislature enacted the Acity or town districts@ statute in 1909, which provided that each city or town be served by a single school district.  The Legislature subsequently enacted several procedural requirements relating to particular relationships between city or town boundaries and school district boundaries.

Summary of Bill:  Notwithstanding the city or town districts statute, the governing body of a city or town that includes territory located in two school districts may call a special election to remove territory from one school district and transfer it to the other school district if:

-The city or town has a population of less than three thousand;

-One of the two school districts borders a U.S. military reservation or includes territory located in a U.S. military reservation; and

-The proposed territory does not contain a public school building.

At the special election, the governing body of the city or town submits a ballot proposition to voters who reside in the portion of the city or town territory to be transferred.   If a simple majority of voters passes the proposition, then the local educational service district superintendent must alter the school district boundaries accordingly.  The city or town must pay for the cost of the election. 

This section expires January 1, 1999.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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