Brief Description: Providing for uniform and comprehensive facility inventory and condition data.

Sponsors: Representatives McIntire, Cox, Dunshee, Kenney and Alexander.

Hearing Date: 3/6/03

Staff: Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:

Capital budget appropriations for higher education institutions typically fall into one of three categories: providing access for students; facility preservation and renovation; and institutional mission. A recent study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) found there is a significant backlog of facility infrastructure projects throughout higher education institutions. One of the recommendations is to sustain and expand the comparable frame work approach used by the JLARC to assemble information on the condition of facilities. The report of the 2002 Capital Budget Interim Workgroup on Higher Education Facilities recommended that a facility inventory and condition data system be developed and maintained.

Summary of Bill:

The Office of Financial Management (OFM), in consultation with the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and higher education institutions, must establish and maintain a system to collect and assemble existing facility data at the various institutions and translate this information into a comparable framework to create a statewide uniform building inventory and condition system. The OFM and HECB are to report to the legislature each December on progress made in establishing the inventory and condition system and progress made in addressing the preservation backlog. The OFM should add infrastructure to the system and incorporate program suitability in prioritizing preservation projects as soon as feasible.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee and the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee are to provide technical and system design assistance upon request. The OFM may allow for possible expansion of this detailed uniform statewide facility inventory and condition system for higher education to other areas of state government.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 3/3/03.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.