HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2468

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Title:  An act relating to capital projects for local nonprofit heritage organizations.

Prime Sponsor:  Representative Jim Honeyford

Background:  In the 1995 session, a competitive state grant program was established in statute for Washington heritage capital projects.  The Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) is required to submit a prioritized list of heritage projects to the governor and legislature by September 1^st of each even-numbered year, beginning in 1996, as a guide for appropriating funds.  In the 1997-99 capital budget, the first appropriation was made under this program totaling $4.1 million dollars for 26 heritage projects on the prioritized list submitted by WSHS.

Summary:  HB 2468 amends current law by requiring an appropriation be made by the legislature prior to the society establishing and submitting a prioritized list of heritage capital projects to the legislature.  The prioritized list developed must include a description of the project, the amount of recommended state funding, and documentation of nonstate funds to be used for the project.  The list must be submitted to the legislature by November 1^st following the effective date of the appropriation for heritage capital projects. 

The amount of state funding must not exceed 25% of the total project cost and the society must not sign contracts or financially obligate funds until the legislature has approved the list of projects.

Fiscal Note:  None

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of the legislative session in which the bill is enacted.

Agency Rule Making Impact:  WSHS is required to adopt rules governing project eligibility and evaluation criteria.

Appropriation:  None