SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5783

                              AS OF MARCH 1, 1991

Brief Description:  Shifting control of legislative facilities to the legislature.

SPONSORS:Senators McCaslin and Conner.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates:March 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Director of General Administration is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the buildings on the capitol campus including the Legislative Building, the John L. O'Brien Building, the John A. Cherberg Building and the Institutions Building which are partially or totally occupied by the Legislature. 

The Director of General Administration discharges her responsibilities through the Division of Capitol Buildings and Grounds and the Division of Engineering and Architecture.  New construction, remodeling and furnishing of state capitol buildings are directed by the State Capitol Committee which includes the Governor or his designee, the Lieutenant Governor and the Commissioner for Public Lands, ex officio.

SUMMARY:

The Legislative Building and any other building which the Legislature occupies one-half or more (presently the O'Brien, Cherberg and Institutions Buildings) are removed from the custody and control of the Director of General Administration and placed under the jurisdiction of the Legislature.  The Director of General Administration shall continue to provide utilities to such buildings to be invoiced to the Legislature quarterly and shall assist the Legislature in the maintenance, repair and any remodeling of such buildings.

The State Capitol Committee is relieved of any responsibility to provide for the construction, remodeling and furnishing of capitol buildings to provide space for the Legislature.

A Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities is created consisting of the members of the Executive Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Facilities and Operations of the Senate.  Through this committee the Legislature shall supervise the maintenance, repair and remodeling of buildings under its jurisdiction.  The committee may also designate the rooms in the Legislative Building to be occupied by various state officials provided that no official may be moved from existing space until other comparable space on the capitol campus is available.

A special legislative facilities account is established in the state general fund.  Any gifts and bequests for the maintenance, operation, repair or remodeling of the buildings under the jurisdiction of the Legislature may be deposited into this account if accepted by the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities.  At the request of the committee, General Administration shall manage or sell any real property donated for such purposes.  The State Treasurer shall make a biennial report on the status of this account.

Appropriation: none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

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