Bill
SB 5365
SB 5365 — Concerning alternate funding for libraries (2025)Status and timeline- Bill number: SB 5365 (69th Legislature, 2025 Regular Session) - Sponsor: Senate Committee on Local
Status and timeline
- Bill number: SB 5365 (69th Legislature, 2025 Regular Session)
- Sponsor: Senate Committee on Local Government (originally Sen. Jeff Wilson, J.)
- Passed Senate and House unanimously; delivered to Governor 4/23/2025; signed into law 5/13/2025 (Chapter 275, 2025 Laws).
- Effective date: July 27, 2025 (90 days after adjournment of the session in which passed).
- RCW amended: RCW 36.69.010.
Purpose / intent
- Provide clarity and an alternative local funding/organizational pathway for public libraries by explicitly allowing community centers (as “recreational facilities” of park and recreation districts) to include public libraries that occupy less than 50% of the usable space of the community center.
Key provisions
- Amends the statutory definition of “recreational facilities” in the Park and Recreation District statute (RCW 36.69.010) to expressly include community centers, including community centers that “could include public libraries” occupying less than 50% of usable space.
- Requires that any public library that is part of such a recreational facility be operated in accordance with Washington’s public library law (chapter 27.12 RCW).
- Does not appropriate funds. A preliminary fiscal note was prepared; no specific funding amounts are included in the bill.
What stays the same (procedural context)
- Formation and funding mechanisms for park and recreation districts remain unchanged: district formation requires a petition signed by at least 15% of registered voters in the proposed boundary, a county hearing and designation, and voter approval of the district and any funding obligations. Park and recreation districts retain existing powers such as acquiring property, contracting, issuing bonds for capital purposes, and imposing regular property tax levies.
Who is affected
- Local governments, park and recreation districts, cities/towns with small libraries or shared community facilities, library boards/trustees, and local voters. The change is especially relevant for small municipalities (e.g., Castle Rock cited in testimony) seeking alternatives to traditional library districts or annual levies.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Expands an alternate, potentially voter‑approved mechanism to fund and host library services through park and recreation districts that operate community centers.
- Libraries placed within park and recreation facilities must comply with state library governance and fiscal rules (chapter 27.12 RCW), which govern free public libraries, trustees, budgets, and custody of library funds—so legal and operational arrangements (e.g., governance, control of funds, interlocal agreements) will need to be clarified locally.
- Preserves voter oversight for creation and funding of districts; does not automatically shift library governance or finances without appropriate formation/approval steps.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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