HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5946

As Reported by House Committee On:

Education

Title:  An act relating to allowing state certified appraisers to appraise school district properties.

Brief Description:  Allowing certified real estate appraisers to appraise school district property.

Sponsors:  By Senator McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Education:  3/21/01, 3/26/01 [DPA].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

(As Amended by House Committee)

$Real estate appraisers licensed by the Department of Licensing may perform market value appraisals for the purposes of real property sales and purchases by school districts.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Quall, Democratic Co‑Chair; Talcott, Republican Co‑Chair; Anderson, Republican Vice Chair; Haigh, Democratic Vice Chair; Cox, Ericksen, Keiser, McDermott, Pearson, Rockefeller, Santos, Schindler, D. Schmidt and Schual‑Berke.

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background:

Individual school districts have exclusive control of school property and can purchase, sell, lease, receive, and hold real and personal property for district purposes.  Prior to the purchase and sale of real property, a district must get a market value appraisal by an appraiser who is deemed qualified by a nationally recognized real estate appraisal organization as defined in RCW 74.46.020. 

The Department of Licensing Business and Professions Division licenses real estate appraisers in Washington on the basis of education, experience, and examination performance.  Levels of certification include general and residential.  A general appraiser is licensed to appraise all types of property.  Not all state-licensed real estate appraisers necessarily seek recognition by a national real estate appraisal organization.

Summary of  Amended Bill:

State-licensed general real estate appraisers may conduct market value appraisals for the purpose of real property purchases and sales by a school district.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:

A technical correction is made to an internal reference.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill allows schools and school districts to save money.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: (In support) Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; and Dan Steele, Washington State School Directors= Association.