READ FIRST TIME 02/08/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to the joint task force on basic education finance; and amending 2007 c 399 s 2 (uncodified).

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

Sec. 1   2007 c 399 s 2 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
     (1) The joint task force on basic education finance established under this section, with research support from the Washington state institute for public policy, shall review the definition of basic education and all current basic education funding formulas, develop options for a new funding structure and all necessary formulas, and propose a new definition of basic education that is realigned with the new expectations of the state's education system as established in the November 2006 final report of the Washington learns steering committee and the basic education provisions established in chapter 28A.150 RCW. In light of recent court decisions, the task force shall specifically consider issues related to equalizing school employee salary allocations among school districts. By December 1, 2008, the task force shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on all of the information required under this subsection.
     (2) The joint task force on basic education finance shall consist of fourteen members:
     (a) A chair of the task force with experience with Washington finance issues including knowledge of the K-12 funding formulas, appointed by the governor;
     (b) Eight legislators, with two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate appointed by the president of the senate and two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (c) A representative of the governor's office or the office of financial management, designated by the governor;
     (d) The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee; and
      (e) Three individuals with significant experience with Washington K-12 finance issues, including the use and application of the current basic education funding formulas, appointed by the governor. Each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives and the senate may submit names to the governor for consideration.
     (3) In conducting research directed by the task force and developing options for consideration by the task force, the Washington state institute for public policy shall consult with stakeholders and experts in the field. The institute may also request assistance from the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the office of financial management, the house office of program research, and senate committee services.
     (4) In developing recommendations, the joint task force shall review and build upon the following:
     (a) Reports related to K-12 finance produced at the request of or as a result of the Washington learns study, including reports completed for or by the K-12 advisory committee;
     (b) High-quality studies that are available; and
     (c) Research and evaluation of the cost-benefits of various K-12 programs and services developed by the institute as directed by the legislature in section 607(15), chapter 372, Laws of 2006.
     (5) The Washington state institute for public policy shall provide the following reports to the joint task force:
     (a) An initial report by September 15, 2007, proposing an initial plan of action, reporting dates, timelines for fulfilling the requirements of section 3 ((of this act)), chapter 399, Laws of 2007, and an initial timeline for a phased-in implementation of a new funding system that does not exceed six years;
     (b) A second report by December 1, 2007, including implementing legislation as necessary, for at least two but no more than four options for allocating school employee compensation. One of the options must be a redirection and prioritization within existing resources based on research-proven education programs. The report must also include a projection of the expected effect of the investment made under the new funding structure. The second report shall also include a finalized timeline and plan for addressing the remaining components of a new funding system; and
     (c) A final report with at least two but no more than four options for revising the remaining K-12 funding structure, including implementing legislation as necessary, and a timeline for phasing in full adoption of the new funding structure. The final report shall be submitted to the joint task force by September 15, 2008. One of the options must be a redirection and prioritization within existing resources based on research-proven education programs. The final report must also include a projection of the expected effect of the investment made under the new funding structure.