HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESB 5354

                  As Passed House‑Amended:

                       April 16,  1997

Title:  An act relating to the capitol committee.

Brief Description:  Removing the commissioner of public lands and adding the secretary of state to the membership of the capitol committee.

Sponsors:  Senators Benton, Anderson, Rossi and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  4/1/97, 4/4/97 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House-Amended:  4/16/97, 94‑3.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Bronwyn Mauldin (786-7093).

Background:  The State Capitol Committee is comprised of the Governor or the Governor=s designee, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Commissioner of Public Lands.  The Commissioner of Public Lands is designated as the secretary of the State Capitol Committee, but the committee may appoint someone else as acting secretary, as long as all committee records are filed in the office of the Commissioner of Public Lands.

The State Capitol Committee is responsible for fully or partially erecting permanent and temporary buildings, excavating such buildings, or making other temporary or permanent improvements to the capitol grounds and Sylvester Park in Olympia.  The State Capitol Committee must also provide for the construction, remodeling, and furnishing of capitol office buildings, parking facilities, and the Governor=s mansion, and is authorized to issue state bonds to pay for those activities.

The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee advises the State Capitol Committee by reviewing design and landscaping plans of capitol facilities and grounds, and making recommendations concerning architectural, aesthetic, functional, and environmental issues.  The advisory committee is comprised of four legislators, two architects, a landscape architect, an urban planner, and the secretary of state.

Summary of Bill:  The Secretary of State is added as a fourth member of the State Capitol Committee. 

The State Capitol Committee is required to approve the recommendations of the World War II Advisory Committee for the design and siting of the World War II memorial on the capitol campus.  The State Capitol Committee also must study the physical condition of the Governor=s mansion, and report to the legislature on its condition and any needed repairs by January 1, 1998.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.