BILL REQ. #:  S-1338.1 

Read first time 02/16/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to providing funds to restore public school art programs; amending RCW 67.70.240; adding a new section to chapter 43.79 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 43.46 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 67.70.240 and 2001 c 3 s 4 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 education construction fund and student achievement fund created in RCW 43.135.045. For the transition period from July 1, 2001, until and including June 30, 2002, fifty percent of the moneys not otherwise obligated under this section shall be placed in the student achievement fund and fifty percent of these moneys shall be placed in the education construction fund. On and after July 1, 2002, until June 30, 2004, seventy-five percent of these moneys shall be placed in the student achievement fund and twenty-five percent shall be placed in the education construction fund. On and after July 1, 2004, all deposits not otherwise obligated under this section shall be placed in the education construction fund. Moneys in the state lottery account deposited in the education construction fund and the student achievement fund are included in "general state revenues" under RCW 39.42.070;
     (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 to be distributed to a county for the purposes of paying principal and interest for a baseball stadium 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 distribution to the school art program restoration account created in section 2 of this act. The distributions in subsection (4) of this section, upon the earlier of retirement of the baseball stadium bonds or twenty years after the tax under RCW 82.14.0485 is first imposed, shall be distributed for the purposes of and subject to the conditions of sections 2 and 3 of this act;
     (7) For the purchase and promotion of lottery games and game-related services; and
     (((7))) (8) 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. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.79 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The school art program restoration account is created in the state treasury. The purpose of the account is to establish a depository for state and other funds made available to restore art programs in public schools in accordance with section 3 of this act.
     (2) The executive director of the Washington state arts commission shall deposit in the account all appropriations to the commission and nonstate moneys received by the commission for restoration of art programs in public schools.
     (3) Only the executive director of the Washington state arts commission or the executive director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 43.46 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, the Washington state arts commission, in consultation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall establish an annual competitive grant process to restore art programs in public schools.
     (2) To the maximum extent possible, the competitive grant amounts awarded will reflect the distribution of the lottery revenues generated from RCW 67.70.240(6).
     (3) Cities, counties, art organizations, and school districts may apply to the Washington state arts commission, but the application process shall encourage collaboration among the various entities in order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the restored programs.
     (4) To the maximum extent possible, the grants awarded shall be administered using existing local city and county art organizations.