SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2159
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, April 28, 2019
Title: An act relating to making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events.
Brief Description: Making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representative Ormsby).
Brief History: Passed House: 4/25/19, 80-18.
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 4/27/19 [DP, w/oRec].
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate: 4/28/19, 46-3.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Rolfes, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair, Operating, Capital Lead; Mullet, Capital Budget Cabinet; Billig, Carlyle, Conway, Darneille, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Liias, Palumbo, Pedersen, Rivers, Van De Wege, Wagoner and Warnick.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Braun, Ranking Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital; Bailey, Becker, Schoesler and Wilson, L..
Staff: Julie Murray (786-7711)
Background: In 2007, the voters ratified a constitutional amendment that created the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA). In general, appropriations from the BSA require a three-fifths majority in each house of the Legislature, but in the case of a catastrophic event or low employment growth, the Legislature may appropriate from the BSA with a constitutional majority vote of each house.
On July 31, 2018, the Governor declared a state of emergency for all of Washington because of the high risk of wildfires throughout the state.
Summary of Bill: The gubernatorial declarations of emergency due to wildfires are cited.
For fiscal year 2019, $42.342 million is appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources for fire suppression costs incurred during the 2018 fire season.
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.
Appropriation: An appropriation of $42.342 million is made to the Department of Natural Resources.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: No public hearing was held.
Persons Testifying: N/A
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: N/A