SENATE 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 Passed Senate, March 5, 2012

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: Ways & Means: 2/16/12, 2/23/12 [DPS, w/oRec].

Passed Senate: 3/05/12, 46-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6581 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Murray, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member Capital; Baumgartner, Brown, Conway, Fraser, Harper, Hatfield, Hewitt, Honeyford, Kastama, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Padden, Pflug, Pridemore, Regala, Schoesler and Tom.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senator Holmquist Newbry.

Staff: Steve Jones (786-7440)

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.

Summary of Substitute 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.

Appropriation: Yes.

Fiscal Note: Available on Companion Bill HB 2764.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: These funds and accounts are dormant and inactive, with small balances. The companion bill, SHB 2764, corrects some technical errors that are present in this bill.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Julie Murray, Office of Financial Management.