HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1318

As Passed House:

March 13, 2019

Title: An act relating to making the public art capital budget language permanent for efficiency.

Brief Description: Making the public art capital budget language permanent for efficiency.

Sponsors: Representatives Tharinger, Van Werven, Eslick, Ryu, Senn, Thai, Jinkins and Wylie; by request of Arts Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Capital Budget: 1/29/19, 2/26/19 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/13/19, 95-1.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 23 members: Representatives Tharinger, Chair; Doglio, Vice Chair; Peterson, Vice Chair; DeBolt, Ranking Minority Member; Smith, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Steele, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Callan, Corry, Davis, Dye, Eslick, Gildon, Irwin, Jenkin, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Maycumber, Morgan, Riccelli, Santos, Sells, Stonier and Walsh.

Staff: Melissa Palmer (786-7388).

Background:

The Legislature established the Art in Public Places Program, administered by the Washington State Arts Commission (Commission), in 1974. Artwork acquisition is funded through Washington's Omnibus Capital Appropriations Act (Capital Budget) using a formula of 0.5 percent of the state's portion of construction for new buildings. This amount includes art allocations for construction of kindergarten through grade 12 public schools, higher education institutions, and state agencies. Higher education institutions also receive 0.5 percent for renovation projects exceeding $200,000. These artworks become part of the State Art Collection. The State Art Collection includes over 4,700 works. During fiscal year 2018, the Commission initiated 24 and closed 24 art projects.

The Capital Budget includes specific provisions related to art allocations, including the parameters for amounts expended on direct acquisitions, the lapsing of art allocations, and an annual report. The 2017-19 Capital Budget and 2018 Supplemental Budget also authorized higher education institutions and state agencies, working with the Commission, to expend up to 10 percent of the art allocation during the design phase.

Summary of Bill:

Higher education institutions and state agencies that receive funding in the Capital Budget are permitted to expend up to 10 percent of the art allocation during the design phase. The 0.5 percent to be expended must be adjusted downward by the amount expended during the design phase.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This legislation makes language that has been included in the Capital Budget bill permanent in the statute.  It does not have a fiscal impact, but does allow an entity to spend up to 10 percent of the art allocation during the design phase. This allows the artist to collaborate and incorporate the art work into the design and building construction.  For example, at Western Washington University there was an art installation that required the removal of ceiling panels and lighting, at a cost of $60,000.  On the other hand, Yakima Valley College was able to incorporate the needed wiring and attachment points for the art installation in the design phase, avoiding costly changes later.  It is a common sense piece of legislation because it allows entities to use a little bit of the money upfront to avoid costly change orders later in the process. This legislation is similar to House Bill 2809 from last session, which was overwhelming approved through the House of Representatives and was on the Senate's Order of Consideration but ultimately did not make it through the process. 

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Tharinger, prime sponsor; Karen Hanan, Washington State Arts Commission; and Doug Levy, Western States Arts Federation and Humanities Washington.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.