SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6305

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 Passed Senate, February 5, 2020

Title: An act relating to library districts.

Brief Description: Concerning library districts.

Sponsors: Senators Liias, Braun, Wagoner and Wilson, C.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Local Government: 1/16/20, 1/21/20 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/05/20, 41-7.

Brief Summary of Bill

Extends the maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds for library districts from six to twenty years.
Merges together ballot propositions for the formation and general obligation bond authority for library capital facilities areas.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Honeyford and Lovelett.

Staff: Bonnie Kim (786-7316)

Background: Library Districts. A county, city, town, or library district may establish and maintain a library, either by itself or in cooperation with one or more other governmental units. Library districts are taxing districts and fall into the following four categories:

rural county library districts provide library service to the entire area of a county outside of the area of incorporated cities and towns;

island library districts provide library service for all areas outside of incorporated cities and towns on a single island only;

rural partial-county library districts provide library service to a portion of the unincorporated area of a county; and

intercounty rural library districts provide library services to the entire area outside of incorporated cities or towns within two or more counties.

Summary of Bill: For rural, intercounty, and island library districts, the maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds is extended from six to twenty years. These library districts may also propose formation and taxation authority in a single ballot proposition rather than separately.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: My district has an unincorporated island that has been historically underinvested in. This bill will give library districts the same tools as other special purpose districts and allow this community to build a library and community center. Libraries across the state support this bill. This bill allows us to do more with low-interest bonds. This bill provides clarity to voters by going down to one ballot. This bill will reduce confusion for voters and allow the libraries to make their arguments more clear.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marko Liias, Prime Sponsor; Abby Moore, Public Libraries of Washington; Carolyn Logne, Washington Library Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.