Washington § 84.52.053 - Levies by school districts authorized — When — Procedure.

(1) The limitations imposed by RCW 84.52.050 through 84.52.056, and 84.52.043 shall not prevent the levy of taxes by school districts, when authorized so to do by the voters of such school district in the manner and for the purposes and number of years allowable under Article VII, section 2(a) and Article IX, section 1 of the Constitution of this state. Elections for such taxes shall be held in the year in which the levy is made or, in the case of propositions authorizing two-year through four-year levies for enrichment funding for a school district, authorizing two-year levies for transportation vehicle funds established in RCW 28A.160.130 or authorizing two-year through six-year levies to support the construction, modernization, or remodeling of school facilities, which includes the purposes of RCW 28A.320.330(2) (f) and (g), in the year in which the first annual levy is made.

(2)(a) Once additional tax levies have been authorized for enrichment funding for a school district for a two-year through four-year period as provided under subsection (1) of this section, no further additional tax levies for enrichment funding for the district for that period may be authorized, except for additional levies to provide for subsequently enacted increases affecting the district's maximum levy.

(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this subsection, any school district that is required to annex or receive territory pursuant to a dissolution of a financially insolvent school district pursuant to RCW 28A.315.225 may call either a replacement or supplemental levy election within the school district, including the territory annexed or transferred, as follows:

(i) An election for a proposition authorizing two-year through four-year levies for enrichment funding for a school district may be called and held before the effective date of dissolution to replace existing enrichment levies and to provide for increases due to the dissolution.

(ii) An election for a proposition authorizing additional tax levies may be called and held before the effective date of dissolution to provide for increases due to the dissolution.

(iii) In the event a replacement levy election under (b)(i) of this subsection is held but does not pass, the affected school district may subsequently hold a supplemental levy election pursuant to (b)(ii) of this subsection if the supplemental levy election is held before the effective date of dissolution. In the event a supplemental levy election is held under (b)(ii) of this subsection but does not pass, the affected school district may subsequently hold a replacement levy election pursuant to (b)(i) of this subsection if the replacement levy election is held before the effective date of dissolution. Failure of a replacement levy or supplemental levy election does not affect any previously approved and existing enrichment levy within the affected school district or districts.

(c) For the purpose of applying the limitation of this subsection (2), a two-year through six-year levy to support the construction, modernization, or remodeling of school facilities shall not be deemed to be a tax levy for enrichment funding for a school district.

(3) A special election may be called and the time therefor fixed by the board of school directors, by giving notice thereof by publication in the manner provided by law for giving notices of general elections, at which special election the proposition authorizing such excess levy shall be submitted in such form as to enable the voters favoring the proposition to vote "yes" and those opposed thereto to vote "no."

(4)(a) Beginning September 1, 2018, school districts may use enrichment levies solely to enrich the state's statutory program of basic education as authorized under RCW 28A.150.276.

(b) Beginning with propositions for enrichment levies for collection in calendar year 2020 and thereafter, a district must receive approval of an enrichment levy expenditure plan from the superintendent of public instruction under RCW 28A.505.240 before submission of the proposition to the voters.

Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 13 ss 201, 203, 206, and 207: See note following RCW 84.52.0531.

Intent—2017 3rd sp.s. c 13: See note following RCW 28A.150.410.

Collective bargaining agreements not impaired—2017 3rd sp.s. c 13: See note following RCW 41.56.139.

Effective date—2012 c 186: See note following RCW 28A.315.025.

Rule-making authority—2012 c 186: See RCW 28A.315.902.

Intent—2010 c 237: See note following RCW 84.52.0531.

Effective date—2010 c 237 ss 1 and 3-9: See note following RCW 84.52.0531.

Intent—2007 c 129: See note following RCW 28A.320.330.

Contingent effective date—1997 c 260: "This act takes effect if the proposed amendment to Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution authorizing school levies for periods not exceeding four years is validly submitted to and is approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election. If the proposed amendment is not approved and ratified, this act is void in its entirety." [ 1997 c 260 s 2.] House Joint Resolution No. 4208 was approved and ratified by the voters at the November 4, 1997, general election.

Intent—Severability—Effective date—1987 1st ex.s. c 2:See notes following RCW 84.52.0531.

Contingent effective date—1986 c 133: "This act shall take effect on December 15, 1986, if the proposed amendment to Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution to change the time periods for school levies, House Joint Resolution No. 55, is validly submitted and is approved and ratified by the voters at a general election held in November, 1986. If the proposed amendment is not so approved and ratified, this act shall be null and void in its entirety." [ 1986 c 133 s 3.] 1986 House Joint Resolution No. 55 was approved at the November 1986 general election. See Article VII, section 2 and Amendment 79 of the state Constitution.

Severability—Effective date—1977 ex.s. c 325: See notes following RCW 84.52.052.

School district boundary changes: RCW 84.09.037.

School district funds: RCW 28A.320.330.