HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 HB  1064

Title:  An act relating to funding community use of public schools.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the use of school facilities for neighborhood activities and services.

Sponsors:  Representatives Thomas, H. Sommers, Huff, Dunshee, Lambert, Ogden, Hurst, Tokuda, Santos, Barlean, Hatfield, Regala, O'Brien, Keiser, Cody, Morris, Veloria, Conway, Van Luven, McDonald, Talcott, Haigh, Eickmeyer, Wood, Linville, Bush, D. Schmidt, Kessler, Esser, Ruderman, Lovick, Kagi and McIntire.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  January 25, 1999.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:  Under current law, school districts may seek additional operating funds through levy elections.  The levy funds must be used for the "maintenance and operating (M&O) support of a school district."

School districts may allow the use of school facilities for meetings.  The meetings may be  Apublic, literary, scientific, religious, political, mechanical, agricultural or whatever.@  The  school board must adopt rules describing the types of meetings that may be held, and may charge a reasonable rent for use of the facilities.  (RCW 28A.320.510) 

School districts may also allow anyone or any corporation to use school playgrounds, athletic fields, and athletic facilities for athletic contests and athletic purposes.  The district=s school board may charge rent for the use of the athletic grounds and facilities.

Summary of Bill:   In addition to its existing authority to levy taxes to support maintenance and operations, a school district may authorize a supplemental levy for the use of school facilities for community activities and services.

The supplemental levy may not exceed 3 percent of the district's levy base, which includes most state and federal funds.  Funds from the supplemental levy may only be used for community activities and services authorized by the district=s school board.

Any district receiving funds from these levies must have a citizen advisory committee to advise it on the appropriate community use of the facilities and on the expenditure of the levy funds.

Approval of a supplemental levy does not entitle a school district to levy equalization funding.

City and county treasurers shall have a separate line item on tax bills for these taxes.  The tax statement shall indicate that the taxes will be expended for community use of the schools.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 19, 1999.

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