HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6581

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of Second Reading

Title: An act relating to eliminating accounts and funds.

Brief Description: Eliminating accounts and funds.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Murray; by request of Office of Financial Management).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

None.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Abolishes certain inactive state funds and accounts.

  • Transfers, in most instances, moneys remaining in those accounts to the State General Fund.

  • Appropriates funds remaining in the Special Grass Seed Burning Research Account to the Washington Turfgrass Seed Commission.

Staff: Dave Johnson (786-7154).

Background:

In addition to the State General Fund, which may be expended for any lawful purpose, the state maintains several hundred funds and accounts that are dedicated to particular statutory purposes. These accounts generally fall into one of three categories: (1) accounts located in the state treasury, thereby subject to appropriation by the Legislature; (2) accounts held in the custody of the State Treasurer and typically not subject to legislative appropriation; and (3) accounts located in state agencies and institutions of higher education, known as local accounts. Some funds and accounts, due to lack of recent activity, have been

deemed by the Office of Financial Management to be inactive accounts.

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Summary of Bill:

The following accounts are eliminated:

Various statutory references to these accounts are eliminated or modified. Any future revenues that previously had been deposited in the Special Grass Seed Burning Research Account, the Film and Video Promotion Account, the Displaced Workers Account, and the Metals Mining Account are redirected to the State General Fund.

Remaining monies in two capital accounts (the Capitol Historic District Construction Account and the State Facilities Renewal Account) are transferred to the State Building Construction Account. Remaining moneys in the Special Grass Seed Burning Research Account are appropriated to the Washington Turfgrass Seed Commission. Remaining monies in the other accounts being eliminated are transferred to the State General Fund.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available on House Bill 2764 (companion bill).

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.