Washington Constitution Article XVI - School and Granted Lands
Here is the full text and summary of the Washington State Constitution – Article XVI: School and Granted Lands:
Washington Constitution
Article XVI — School and Granted Lands
Section 1 – School Lands to Be Held in Trust.
All the public lands granted to the state for common schools shall be held in trust for the support of the common schools and shall not be disposed of except as provided by law. The proceeds from the sale of these lands, or from the sale of timber or other valuable materials on them, shall be used exclusively for the support of the common schools.
Section 2 – Grant Lands Located.
The legislature shall provide for the selection and location of all lands granted to the state by the United States for any purpose in such manner as will best secure the purpose of the grant.
Section 3 – Restrictions on Sale of School Lands.
None of the lands granted to the state for educational purposes shall be sold except at public auction and after appraisal. The legislature shall provide for the protection of the state’s interests and prevent fraud.
Section 4 – Lease of Public Lands.
The legislature may provide for the lease of public lands for a period not exceeding ten years. Leases longer than ten years may be authorized for valuable improvements or special uses. These must be consistent with the public interest.
Section 5 – Sale of Timber.
The legislature may provide for the sale of timber separate from the land, and for removal of the timber within a specific time. This helps allow use of natural resources while maintaining public land ownership.
Summary:
Purpose: Article XVI ensures that school and granted lands in Washington are managed responsibly and held in trust for the benefit of public education.
Key Points:
Trust Lands: Lands granted for schools are to be preserved and used only to support public schools.
Sales/Leases: Any sale must be at public auction after appraisal; leases are time-limited unless for valuable improvements.
Timber Sales: The state may sell timber separately from land, helping to generate school revenue.
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