SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6419

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, February 1, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the definition of public works projects.

Brief Description:  Redefining the term "public works project."

Sponsors:  Senators Loveland and Prince.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/25/96, 2/1/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The Public Works Board comprises 13 members appointed by the Governor for terms of four years.  Money placed in the public works assistance account is used to make loans and to give financial guarantees to local governments for public works projects.  "Public works project" means a project of a local government for the planning, acquisition, construction, repair, reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation, or improvement of streets and roads, bridges, water systems, or storm and sanitary sewage systems.

Summary of Bill:  The definition of "public works project" is changed to include solid waste facilities, including recycling facilities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This is an equity bill.  Now that sufficient funds are available, solid waste projects should be eligible to compete for funding.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Duke Schaub, AGE (pro); Pete Butkus, Public Works Board; Bill Vogler, WSAC (pro); Don Scheibe, Asotin County Commissioners (pro); Peter Hahn, Snohomish County Public Works Div. (pro); Dan Sexton, WA State Assn. of Plumbers & Pipefitters (pro); Dick Ducharme, Utility Contractors Assn. (pro).