Substitute Senate Bill 5516 is the bill to relieve the Parkland Community Association of the glitch in the law that triggered the first ever property taxes on the building since it was built in1908. The glitch happened because they did not purchase the building directly from the public school, but from a private non-profit, PLU.

PLU did not have to pay taxes on it because they did purchase it from Franklin Pierce School District. Since the building is owned by the Parkland Community Association, a non-profit charity and being used for public benefit as a community center and leasing to public resource entities, this bill will restore the former tax status of the building, helping the community group to maintain it.

The bill passed the Senate where it was introduced by Senators Steve Conway and T’wina Nobles. It is now in the House Finance Committee. This committee needs to vote yes and send it to House Ways and Means then to the floor of the House in order for it to be passed by the full body.

If you are supportive of the efforts of the Parkland Community Association and the value of the Parkland School as a community center and resource, please go online and briefly state your support for the bill at the following link before March 21. Thank you.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=5516&year=2025&initiative=False