SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2332

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Education, February 24, 2000

Title:  An act relating to associated student body fund‑raising activities.

Brief Description:  Authorizing student groups to conduct charitable fund‑raising.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual‑Berke, Edmonds, Dickerson, Keiser, Carlson, Hurst, Lantz and Stensen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/21/2000, 2/24/2000 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Brown, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

Background:  An "associated student body" (ASB) is a formal organization of public school students formed and regulated by the school district.  ASBs typically provide optional noncredit extracurricular events of a cultural, social, recreational, or athletic nature.  ASB activities are generally funded by fees and student fund-raisers.

Currently, the law is unclear as to whether ASBs may conduct fund-raising activities for private purposes, such as scholarships, student exchanges, or charitable purposes.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Student groups are authorized, subject to school board policies, to conduct fund-raising activities in their private capacities for scholarships, student exchanges, and charitable purposes.  However, students may not raise funds for political purposes.  Monies raised for private purposes must be held in trust in one or more separate accounts, and must be used exclusively for the intended purpose.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The amendment clarifies that student-raised funds for private purposes are not public funds subject to the state Constitution=s prohibition of the granting of state monies to private individuals or entities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Current law is unclear as to whether students may raise funds for solely private purposes.  Students often wish to raise funds for scholarships, student exchanges, or charitable purposes.  This bill would clarify that in addition to raising funds for extracurricular activities, student groups may raise funds for solely private purposes.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  David Westberg, AFL-CIO, Stationary Engineers (pro w/amendment); Joel Ware (pro); Lisa Ferguson, Stewart Middle School (pro); Ken Kanikeberg, OSPI (pro); Barbara Mertens, WASA (pro).