The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-08-31

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. I
Of Representatives Of the State Of Washing
ton, In Legislative Session Assembled:
That, at the general election to be held In
this state on the Tuesday next succeeding
shall be submitted to the qualified electors
Of the state. for their approval and ratifica-
ton, or rejection, an amendment to Article
VII Of the State Constitution, to be added
thereto as section 2 thereof, which shall
Section 2. Except rs hereinafter provided
and notwithstanding any other provision Of
this Constitution, the aggregate Of all tax
levies upon real and personal property BY
? the state and all taxing districts now exist
ing or hereafter created. shall not In any
year exceed forty mills on the dollar Of
assessed valuation, which assessed valuation
shall be fifty per centum Of the true and
fair value Of such property in money: Pro-
prevent levies at the rates now provided by
law by or for any port or public utility dis
trict. The term taxing district" for the
purposes Of this section shall mean any .po-
itical subdivision, municipal corporation.
district, or other governmental agency au-
thorized by law to levy. or have levied for
It, ad valorem taxes on property. other than
a port or public utility district. Such ag-
:gregate limitation or any specific limitation
imposed by law In conformity Herewith
may be exceeded only
(a) by any taxing district when specif-
,cally authorized so to do by q majority Of
voting on the proposition to levy such ad-
'd...onal tax submitted not more than twelve
months prior to the date on which the pro-
posed levy is to be made and not oftener
than twice in such twelve month period.
either at a special election or at the regular
election of such taxing district, at which
election the number of persons voting on
the proposition shall constitute not less than
forty percentum Of the total number Of
votes cast in such taxing district at the last
preceding general election;
(b) by any taxing district otherwise au-
thorized by law to issue general obligation
bonds for capital purposes. for the sole pur-
pose Of making the required payments Of
principal and interest on general obligation
bonds issued solely for capital purposes.
other than the replacement Of equipment,
when authorized so to do by a majority of
at least three-fifths Of the electors thereof
bonds and to pay the principal and interest
thereon by an annual tax levy in excess of
the limitation herein provided during the
term of such bonds. submitted not oftener
than twice in any calendar year. at an cleo
ton held in the manner provided by law for
bond elections in such taxing district, at
which election the total number of persons
voting on the proposition shall constitute
not less than forty percentum Of the total
number of votes cast in such taxing district
at the last preceding general election: Pro
vided, That any such taxing district shall
have the right by vote Of its governing body
to refund any general obligation bonds Of
said district issued for capital purposes
only. md to provide for the interest there
on and amortization thereof by annual levies
in excess of the tax limitation provided for
herein, and Provided Further, That the pro-
visions of this section shall also be subject
to the limitations contained in Article VIII.
Section 6, Of this constitution:
(c) by the state or any taxing district
for the purpose of paying the principal or
interest on general obligation bonds out
standing on December 6, 1884: or for the
purpose of preventing the impairment Of
the obligation Of . contract when ordered
50 to do by a court Of last resort
And Be It Further Resolued. That the