HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1280

REMOVING  REQUIREMENTS  FOR   PUBLIC  ART  IN  DEPARTMENT  OF CORRECTIONS  FACILITIES.

BACKGROUND:  The visual arts program, administered by the Washington State Arts Commission, purchases works of art for placement in public buildings, on public lands, and in portable art collections.  The program is funded from an allocation of one-half of one percent of capital budget appropriations for the original construction of new state facilities and public schools.  Works of art are acquired and placed by the commission in collaboration with affected state agencies and school districts.  Once the artwork is acquired, it is added to the state art collection owned and managed by the commission.  Currently, the state art collection contains over 2,900 works of art valued at over $8 million.

In 1995, a temporary ban on the acquisition of works of art for new state prison facilities was enacted by the Legislature.  The ban expires at the end of the 1995-97 fiscal biennium.

SUMMARY:  The requirement that one-half of one percent of capital appropriations for the original construction of facilities under the control of the Department of Corrections is eliminated.

FISCAL NOTE:  Available.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after the adjournment of the session in which the bill is enacted.