SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1489

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, April 3, 1997

Title:  An act relating to public works and water pollution control funding.

Brief Description:  Modifying public works and water pollution control funding.

Sponsors:  Representatives Chandler, Linville, L. Thomas, Reams, Sheldon, Cairnes, McMorris, Veloria and Schoesler.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  3/28/97, 4/3/97 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Haugen, Horn, Patterson and Swanson.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The public works trust fund provides low-interest and interest-free loans to local governments to help finance public works projects.  The Legislature must appropriate the funds for a specific list of projects recommended for funding by the Public Works Board before any of the money may be obligated.

The water quality account provides grants and loans to local governments, state agencies, and Indian tribes for water pollution control facilities.  The monies in this account must be appropriated by the Legislature.

In order to be eligible to receive money from the public works trust fund or the water quality account, a city, town, or county that plans under the Growth Management Act (GMA) must have adopted a comprehensive plan and development regulations that are consistent with GMA requirements.

Summary of Amended Bill:  A city, town, or county planning under GMA is not required to adopt a comprehensive plan and development regulations that are consistent with the requirements of GMA in order to be eligible for grants or loans from the public works trust fund or the water quality account on the condition that the grants or loans are necessary to address a public health need or substantial environmental degradation.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The House bill would have eliminated, without any conditions, the requirement that a city, town, or county must have adopted a comprehensive plan in order to be eligible for the funds.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  There are certain problems that should be fixed regardless of an approved comprehensive plan.

Testimony Against:  There should not be a blanket exemption (original bill) otherwise an incentive is lost to finish the comprehensive plan. 

Testified:  Bob Hart, Skagit County Commissioner/WSAC; Dave Williams, AWC; Steve Wells, CTED.