FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1318

C 240 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

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.

House Committee on Capital Budget

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

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 has included 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:

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.

Votes on Final Passage: