FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 3002

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.

C 274 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representative Ormsby).

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

In 2007 the voters ratified a constitutional amendment that created the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA) as Article VII, section 12 of the Washington Constitution (state Constitution). Each year, the State Treasurer must deposit 1 percent of general state revenues (GSR) into the constitutionally created BSA. The term GSR is defined in the state Constitution and is generally synonymous with the statutory State General Fund.

In general, appropriations from the BSA require a three-fifths majority in each house of the Legislature, but in the case of low employment growth or a state of emergency resulting from a catastrophic event, the Legislature may appropriate from the BSA with a constitutional majority vote of each house.

On September 2, 2017, Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency in all counties due to wildfires.

Summary:

The gubernatorial declaration of emergency due to wildfires is cited.

The following expenditures are authorized from the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA): 

The BSA appropriations do not alter the requirement to balance the budget in the ensuing biennium under the state's four-year balanced budget requirement, also known as the State Budget Outlook. 

Votes on Final Passage:

House

51

47

Senate

48

0

Effective:

March 27, 2018