BP BHEAD INT H [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to improving funding for education; amending RCW 43.135.035, 43.135.045, 67.70.040, and 67.70.240; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing for submission of this act to a vote of the people.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The better schools fund is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the fund may be spent only after appropriation. Moneys in the fund shall be apportioned in the same manner as moneys are apportioned under chapter 28A.510 RCW. The amount allocated to each school district shall be based on the number of full-time equivalent students in the school district during the school year ending just prior to the allocation.

(2) Allocations received under this section shall be used for only the following purposes:

(a) To reduce class sizes in kindergarten through sixth grade by hiring additional certificated teachers;

(b) To improve student academic achievement in grades kindergarten through twelve by providing new and expanded learning opportunities, including but not limited to, before‑and‑after school programs, weekend school programs, summer school programs, full‑day kindergarten programs, and intercession opportunities;

(c) To provide new and expanded developmental preschool programs designed to prepare prekindergarten children for successful learning; and

(d) To provide improvements or additions to school building facilities, which improvements or additions are directly related to the new or expanded services in (a) through (c) of this subsection.

(3) School districts are prohibited from using moneys allocated under this section for loan repayment or for debt service.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.135.035 and 1994 c 2 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) After July 1, 1995, any action or combination of actions by the legislature that raises state revenue or requires revenue-neutral tax shifts may be taken only if approved by a two-thirds vote of each house, and then only if state expenditures in any fiscal year, including the new revenue, will not exceed the state expenditure limits established under this chapter.

(2)(a) If the legislative action under subsection (1) of this section will result in expenditures in excess of the state expenditure limit, then the action of the legislature shall not take effect until approved by a vote of the people at a November general election. The office of financial management shall adjust the state expenditure limit by the amount of additional revenue approved by the voters under this section. This adjustment shall not exceed the amount of revenue generated by the legislative action during the first full fiscal year in which it is in effect. The state expenditure limit shall be adjusted downward upon expiration or repeal of the legislative action.

(b) The ballot title for any vote of the people required under this section shall be substantially as follows:

"Shall taxes be imposed on . . . . . . . in order to allow a spending increase above last year's authorized spending adjusted for inflation and population increases?"

(3)(a) The state expenditure limit may be exceeded upon declaration of an emergency for a period not to exceed twenty-four months by a law approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature and signed by the governor. The law shall set forth the nature of the emergency, which is limited to natural disasters that require immediate government action to alleviate human suffering and provide humanitarian assistance. The state expenditure limit may be exceeded for no more than twenty-four months following the declaration of the emergency and only for the purposes contained in the emergency declaration.

(b) Additional taxes required for an emergency under this section may be imposed only until thirty days following the next general election, unless an extension is approved at that general election. The additional taxes shall expire upon expiration of the declaration of emergency. The legislature shall not impose additional taxes for emergency purposes under this subsection unless funds in the education construction fund have been exhausted.

(c) The state or any political subdivision of the state shall not impose any tax on intangible property listed in RCW 84.36.070 as that statute exists on January 1, 1993.

(4) If the cost of any state program or function is shifted from the state general fund on or after January 1, 1993, to another source of funding, or if moneys are transferred from the state general fund to another fund or account, the office of financial management shall lower the state expenditure limit to reflect the shift. This subsection does not apply to transfers to the better schools fund under RCW 67.70.040 and 67.70.240.

Sec. 3. RCW 43.135.045 and 1994 c 2 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The emergency reserve fund is established in the state treasury. During each fiscal year, the state treasurer shall deposit in the emergency reserve fund all general fund‑-state revenues in excess of the state expenditure limit for that fiscal year. Deposits shall be made at the end of each fiscal quarter based on projections of state revenues and the state expenditure limit. Beginning in fiscal year 2002 and each fiscal year thereafter, the state treasurer shall transfer from the emergency reserve fund to the common school construction fund the sum of one hundred million dollars divided into four equal deposits occurring on July 1st, October 1st, January 1st, and April 1st of each year.

(2) The legislature may appropriate moneys from the emergency reserve fund only with approval of at least two-thirds of the members of each house of the legislature, and then only if the appropriation does not cause total expenditures to exceed the state expenditure limit under this chapter.

(3) The emergency reserve fund balance shall not exceed five percent of ((~~biennial~~)) annual general fund‑-state revenues as projected by the official state revenue forecast. Any balance in excess of five percent shall be transferred on a quarterly basis by the state treasurer to the education construction fund hereby created in the treasury.

(4)(a) Funds may be appropriated from the education construction fund exclusively for common school construction or higher education construction.

(b) Funds may be appropriated for any other purpose only if approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature and if approved by a vote of the people at the next general election. An appropriation approved by the people under this subsection shall result in an adjustment to the state expenditure limit only for the fiscal period for which the appropriation is made and shall not affect any subsequent fiscal period.

Sec. 4. RCW 67.70.040 and 1994 c 218 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The commission shall have the power, and it shall be its duty:

(1) To promulgate such rules governing the establishment and operation of a state lottery as it deems necessary and desirable in order that such a lottery be initiated at the earliest feasible and practicable time, and in order that such lottery produce the maximum amount of net revenues for the state consonant with the dignity of the state and the general welfare of the people. Such rules shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(a) The type of lottery to be conducted which may include the selling of tickets or shares. The use of electronic or mechanical devices or video terminals which allow for individual play against such devices or terminals shall be prohibited. Approval of the legislature shall be required before entering any agreement with other state lotteries to conduct shared games;

(b) The price, or prices, of tickets or shares in the lottery;

(d) The manner of selecting the winning tickets or shares;

(e) The manner and time of payment of prizes to the holder of winning tickets or shares which, at the director's option, may be paid in lump sum amounts or installments over a period of years;

(f) The frequency of the drawings or selections of winning tickets or shares. Approval of the legislature is required before conducting any on-line game in which the drawing or selection of winning tickets occurs more frequently than once every twenty-four hours;

(g) Without limit as to number, the type or types of locations at which tickets or shares may be sold;

(h) The method to be used in selling tickets or shares;

(i) The licensing of agents to sell or distribute tickets or shares, except that a person under the age of eighteen shall not be licensed as an agent;

(j) The manner and amount of compensation, if any, to be paid licensed sales agents necessary to provide for the adequate availability of tickets or shares to prospective buyers and for the convenience of the public;

(k) The apportionment of the total revenues accruing from the sale of lottery tickets or shares and from all other sources among: (i) The payment of prizes to the holders of winning tickets or shares, which shall not be less than forty-five percent of the gross annual revenue from such lottery, (ii) transfers to the lottery administrative account created by RCW 67.70.260, and (iii) transfer to the state's ((~~general~~)) better schools fund. Transfers to the ((~~state general~~)) better schools fund shall be made in compliance with RCW 43.01.050;

(l) Such other matters necessary or desirable for the efficient and economical operation and administration of the lottery and for the convenience of the purchasers of tickets or shares and the holders of winning tickets or shares.

(2) To ensure that in each place authorized to sell lottery tickets or shares, on the back of the ticket or share, and in any advertising or promotion there shall be conspicuously displayed an estimate of the probability of purchasing a winning ticket.

(3) To amend, repeal, or supplement any such rules from time to time as it deems necessary or desirable.

(4) To advise and make recommendations to the director for the operation and administration of the lottery.

Sec. 5. RCW 67.70.240 and 1997 c 220 s 206 are each amended to read as follows:

The moneys in the state lottery account shall be used only:

(1) For the payment of prizes to the holders of winning lottery tickets or shares;

(2) For purposes of making deposits into the reserve account created by RCW 67.70.250 and into the lottery administrative account created by RCW 67.70.260;

(3) For purposes of making deposits into the state's ((~~general~~)) better schools fund;

(4) For distribution to a county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the county to construct a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485, including reasonably necessary preconstruction costs. Three million dollars shall be distributed under this subsection during calendar year 1996. During subsequent years, such distributions shall equal the prior year's distributions increased by four percent. Distributions under this subsection shall cease when the bonds issued for the construction of the baseball stadium are retired, but not more than twenty years after the tax under RCW 82.14.0485 is first imposed;

(5) For distribution to the stadium and exhibition center account, created in RCW 43.99N.060. Subject to the conditions of RCW 43.99N.070, six million dollars shall be distributed under this subsection during the calendar year 1998. During subsequent years, such distribution shall equal the prior year's distributions increased by four percent. No distribution may be made under this subsection after December 31, 1999, unless the conditions for issuance of the bonds under RCW 43.99N.020(2) are met. Distributions under this subsection shall cease when the bonds are retired, but not later than December 31, 2020;

(6) For the purchase and promotion of lottery games and game-related services; and

(7) For the payment of agent compensation.

The office of financial management shall require the allotment of all expenses paid from the account and shall report to the ways and means committees of the senate and house of representatives any changes in the allotments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. By July 1, 2001, the state board of education shall modify the allocation of state assistance for school facilities by increasing the cost per square foot and space allowance per student to more closely reflect actual construction size and cost.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act takes effect January 1, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The secretary of state shall submit this act to the people for their adoption and ratification, or rejection, at the next general election to be held in this state, in accordance with Article II, section 1 of the state Constitution and the laws adopted to facilitate its operation.