SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2302

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 26, 1992

Brief Description:  Allocating moneys for public works projects recommended by the public works board.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Capital Facilities & Financing (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Sommers, Miller, Rasmussen, Jones, Orr and P. Johnson; by request of Department of Community Development)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL FACILITIES & FINANCING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, M. Kreidler, Metcalf, Murray, Newhouse, Owen, Saling, Talmadge, and West.

Staff:  Mary Poole (786‑7715)

Hearing Dates: February 25, 1992; February 26, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The Public Works Trust Fund was created by the Legislature in 1985 to assist local governments with infrastructure development.  The program is administered by the Public Works Board within the Department of Community Development.  Projects eligible for loans include construction, rehabilitation and renovation of essential public works systems such as bridges, roads, water systems, and sanitary and storm sewers.  The program is funded by dedicated revenues, including 7.7 percent of the real estate excise tax, and taxes levied on water, sewage and refuse collection.

Each year the Public Works Board submits a prioritized list of recommended projects to the Legislature for approval.  The Legislature may delete projects from the list, but may not add projects or alter the prioritized ordering.  The 1991-93 capital budget included a biennial appropriation for lists presented during the 1992 and 1993 sessions.

SUMMARY:

Forty-six project loans recommended by the Public Works Board are authorized.  The total cost of these loans is $43,678,008. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will enable necessary infrastructure projects.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Pete Butkus, Public Works Board, Department of Community Development; Jackie McFayden, Association of Washington Counties