SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6146

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, JANUARY 29, 1992

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

SPONSORS: Senators McDonald, Gaspard, Craswell and Niemi; by request of Department of Community Development

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6146 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Gaspard, M. Kreidler, Metcalf, Murray, Newhouse, Niemi, Rinehart, Saling, L. Smith, Talmadge, Williams, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Mary Poole (786‑7715)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1992; January 29, 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 $42,678,008.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An appropriation of $1 million to an emergency loan fund is authorized.  This item was recommended by the Public Works Board.

Appropriation:  $1 million

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

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

TESTIMONY FOR:

Public Works Trust Fund loans have enabled many necessary infrastructure projects.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Meg Van Schoorl, Department of Community Development (for); Jim Justin, Association of Washington Cities (for); Joe Daniels, Water Works (for)