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Senate committee hears bill letting districts bond against voter‑approved levies to speed school construction
Summary
Proponents told a Senate education committee that House Bill 17‑96 would allow school districts to front‑fund voter‑approved capital levies and issue non‑voted bonds within existing constitutional limits to accelerate construction and reduce inflationary costs; opponents warned it could be perceived as circumventing voter control, though staff clarified a levy must already be approved.
House Bill 17‑96 would let Washington school districts issue non‑voted indebtedness — bonds backed by a previously voter‑approved capital levy — to fund new construction and related furniture and equipment, a measure proponents said will speed projects and save taxpayers money.
Alex, the committee staffer, told senators the bill inserts a new capital‑project category allowing districts to use up to the existing 0.375% indebtedness limit for new construction if the district has a voter‑approved capital levy and has not been on binding conditions in the prior three years. He said a 2025 fiscal note estimated no fiscal impact, while an updated 2026…
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