2SHB 1107 / SSB 5463

Cultural Access WashingtonProgram2015 LegislationSummary

Purpose

  • To allow creation of a local program that will have public and educational benefits andprovide economic support for cultural organizations throughout the state
  • Create the potential to address communities' diminished access to cultural experiencesand/or education programs for K-12 students in publicschools
  • Cultural organizations could include: heritage facilities, children’s museums, sciencecenters, fine arts, zoos, aquariums, theaters, art museums, performingarts
  • Examples of what the publicly approved funding could be usedfor:
  • reduced or freeadmission
  • providing education experiences at an organization’s facilities or in theschools
  • expanding opportunities for diverse and underserved populations andcommunities
  • creating experiences outside an organization’s ownfacilities
  • increasing public access throughtechnology
  • building capacity of community basedorganizations

Vote of thepeople

  • Initial imposition of funding mechanism requires approval by a majority of voters inthe proposed jurisdiction
  • Tax expires after 7 years unless reauthorized by vote of thepeople

Fundingsources

  • Enables a county to propose to voters a nominal increase in the sales tax or property tax(except in King Co.) which is dedicated to support a cultural accessprogram
  • This legislation does not impose a new tax; it enables a county to create the program andthe peopledecideiftheychooseto funditornotbyplacingiton theballotforpublicapproval
  • County may decide which form of funding mechanism toimpose
  • Counties may form a program under an interlocalagreement
  • Funds may not replace or materially diminish any funding usually orcustomarily provided by the state for state-related culturalorganizations

Limitations on fundingmechanism

  • Sales tax increase is capped at0.1%
  • Property tax is limited to an amount that equals the same amount that an incremental0.1% sales tax wouldcollect
  • Property tax increase is subject to reduction if total of property taxes would otherwiseexceed statutory limits

Potential options for City cultural access program

A city can create a cultural access program subject to same limitations as a county,if:

  • the relevant county declines its authority to create a program by resolution,or
  • the county does not place a proposition before the people by June 30,2017

Use offunds

  • Counties are given broad discretion to define programs, but they must include a publicschool program

Funding allocation rules for counties with less than 1.5 millionpopulation

  • County sets percentage for public school cultural accessprogram
  • Pay start-up fees and admin costs (to be disclosed in ballotmeasure)
  • Remainder to “designated entity” for distribution to cultural organizations percounty- established guidelines (funds can be used for capital expenditures, includingreal propertyacquisition)

Funding allocation rules for large counties with 1.5 million population orgreater

  • Pay start-up fees and admin costs (up to 1.25% per year for admin costs) of“designated entity” responsible for grants &compliance
  • 10% of remaining funds for public school accessprogram
  • 75% of remainder to regional cultural organizations located in the county(“substantial” with broad-based membership and minimum annual revenues)
  • Ranking formula (attendance and revenuecomponents)
  • Support capped at 15% of annualrevenues
  • Restriction against capitalexpenditures
  • Must participate in public school accessprogram
  • Remaining funds to “designated public agency,” responsible for grants tocommunity- based cultural organizations (funds can be used for capital expenditures, includingreal propertyacquisition)

Local programs, local decisions, local support

For any additional information or questions pleasecontact:Joy Langley at

Becky Bogard at or 206.979.0326orKathryn Hedrick at or360.280.6202