SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1142
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of March 20, 2015
Title: An act relating to modifying school district authority with respect to student parking.
Brief Description: Modifying school district authority with respect to student parking.
Sponsors: Representatives Wilcox, Reykdal, G. Hunt, Gregerson and Magendanz.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/05/15, 91-7.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/19/15.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: School districts have explicit statutory authority to charge a fee in certain circumstances. For example a district may charge students and nonstudents a fee to attend an optional noncredit extracurricular event of the district. Districts must have policies for waiving and reducing these fees for low-income students and low-income non-students who are 65 years of age or older. School districts do not currently have explicit authority to charge students a fee for parking a vehicle on school district property.
Under current law, school districts must establish the following funds:
a general fund for the maintenance and operation of the district;
a capital projects fund for major capital purposes;
a debt service fund for the retirement of bonds; and
an associated student body fund for all monies generated through the programs and activities of any associated student body organization.
Generally, school districts must deposit monies derived from the lease, rental, or occasional use of surplus real property in the debt service fund or capital projects fund. However, when the monies are required for maintenance or other costs associated with the lease or rental of the property, then the money must be deposited in the district's general fund. Additionally, the monies may be deposited in the district's general fund to be used for nonrecurring costs related to operating school facilities, including maintenance.
The rules adopted by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction define an associated student body organization as a formal organization of students, including student clubs, which is formed with the approval and subject to the control of the school district board of directors.
Summary of Bill: A school district board of directors may establish and collect parking fees from students who park a vehicle on school property. All or a portion of the parking fees collected may be deposited in the associated student body program fund. Any parking fees not deposited in the associated student body program fund must be deposited in the debt service fund, capital projects fund, or the district's general fund as provided for monies derived from the lease, rental, or occasional use of surplus real property.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: There are school districts that are currently charging students parking fees. This bill gives districts the explicit authority to do this. It makes sense for fees paid by students to go to the associated school bodies (ASBs). This bill permits the ASBs to receive the money but also provides school districts the flexibility to put this money in the other required school accounts, as necessary.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Wilcox, prime sponsor; Mitch Denning, Alliance of Educational Assns.; Jerry Bender, Assn. of WA School Principals.
Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying: No one.