Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 2815
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning library districts.
Sponsors: Representative Ortiz-Self.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/5/20
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:
Any county, city, town, or library district can establish and maintain a library, either by itself or in cooperation with one or more other governmental units. There are four categories of library districts: rural county library districts, intercounty rural library districts, rural partial-county library districts, and island library districts.
A rural, intercounty, or island library district may contract indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds. The maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds may not exceed six years.
The county legislative authority or authorities for the county or counties in which a proposed library capital facility area is to be established must submit separate ballot propositions to voters to 1) authorize the establishment of the library capital facility area, and 2) authorize the library capital facility area to finance facilities by issuing general indebtedness and imposing taxes.
A library capital facility area is a quasi-municipal corporation, independent taxing authority, and a taxing district created by a county legislative authority of one or several counties.
Summary of Bill:
The maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds for rural, intercounty, and island library districts is extended from six to 20 years.
County legislative authorities establishing a library capital facility area may propose establishment of the library district and authority to finance the library district in a single ballot proposition rather than separately.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 27, 2020.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.