HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1435

                       As Passed House

                       March 22, 1993

Title:  An act relating to the capital budget.

Brief Description:  Authorizing funds for state agency buildings.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Wang and Ogden; by request of Office of Financial Management).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Capital Budget, March 18, 1993, DPS;

Passed House, March 22, 1993, 59-31.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Wang, Chair; Ogden, Vice Chair; Sehlin, Ranking Minority Member; Morton, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Eide; R. Fisher; Jacobsen; Jones; Ludwig; Romero; Silver; Sommers; and Thomas.

Staff:  Bill Robinson (786-7140).

Background:  The state government operates on a two-year fiscal period beginning on July 1 of odd-numbered years.  In addition to the operating budget adopted every two years, the Legislature also enacts a capital budget providing for land acquisition, construction, facility improvements, and other capital needs of the state and its agencies and institutions.  Many of these projects are financed by the issuance of state general obligation bonds.

In the intervening (even-numbered) years, the Legislature enacts a supplemental capital budget that revises existing appropriations and authorizes additional capital projects.

Summary of Bill:  The 1992 capital budget is amended to authorize the Department of General Administration to enter into a financial contract for acquisition of land and buildings in Yakima and to reduce the Department of Ecology's appropriation for Referendum 39 and Referendum 26.  The budget is further amended to clarify a condition to the Department of Trade and Economic Development's appropriation for the Agricultural Complex in Yakima.  The condition would prohibit state money from being used for a separate stadium facility at the Agricultural Complex in Yakima.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Appropriation:  See bill.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  Restrictions on the use of money for a multipurpose outdoor stadium at Agricultural Complex will cause a financial hardship on the county.  The stadium will be used for a variety of community and agricultural activities when it is not being used for professional baseball.  State money will not be used for construction of elements within the facility that would be constructed exclusively for baseball.

Witnesses:  Senator Deccio (con on substitute); Representative Edmondson (con on substitute); and Charles Klarich, Yakima County Commissioner (con on substitute).