HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2258

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to fiscal matters.

Brief Description:  Making appropriations for the fiscal biennium ending June 30, 1997.

Sponsors:  Representatives Huff and H. Sommers; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  3/20/97, 3/24/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives Huff, Chairman; Alexander, Vice Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Wensman, Vice Chairman; H. Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Benson; Carlson; Cooke; Crouse; Dyer; Grant; Kenney; Kessler; Lambert; Lisk; Mastin; McMorris; Parlette; D. Schmidt; Sehlin; Sheahan and Talcott.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Gombosky, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chopp; Cody; Keiser; Linville; Poulsen; Regala and Tokuda.

Staff:  Victor Moore (786-7143).

Background:  The state government operates on the basis of a fiscal biennium that begins on July 1 of each odd-numbered year.  A biennial operating budget was enacted in the 1995 legislative session, appropriating $17.599 billion from the state general fund.  A supplemental operating budget  was enacted in the 1996 legislative session increasing the state general fund appropriation by $12 million for a total of $17.611 billion.  The bill increases the state general fund appropriation by $166 million for a state general fund total of $17.778 billion.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The 1996 supplemental operating budget is amended to increase state general fund appropriations by $100 million for a total of $17.711 billion.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill lowers the state general fund appropriation by $66 million, increasing existing appropriations by $100 million.

Appropriation:  See bill.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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