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Senate committee approves bill to require voter approval, four-year reauthorization for school-district recreation mills
Summary
House Bill 127, introduced by Representative Nyman, would require voter approval and recurring reauthorization every four years for school-district recreation mill levies; testimony from school boards, clerks, county officials and recreation advocates produced sharp disagreement over local control, transparency and funding stability. The committee adopted an amendment changing implementation dates and passed the bill to the floor 3–2.
Representative Nyman presented House Bill 127 as an accountability measure that would give taxpayers a periodic opportunity to affirm school-district recreation mill levies at the ballot box. "This is just a simple accountability option for people to be able to say if it's doing its job," Nyman said, explaining the proposal grew from constituent concerns after a school board in his area levied a rec mill without a public vote.
Supporters of the bill argued voters should have direct oversight for a recurring tax that can grow into a long-term funding source. Senator Eyde said, "Let the people decide," and praised the idea of giving taxpayers an…
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