FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6063

                         PARTIAL VETO

                          C 235 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Adopting the capital budget.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Strannigan and Fraser; by request of Governor Locke).

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Capital Budget

Background:  The programs and agencies of state government are funded on a two-year basis, with each fiscal biennium beginning on June 30 of even-numbered years.  The capital budget generally includes appropriations for the acquisition, construction, and repair of capital assets such as land, buildings, and other infrastructure improvements.  Funding for the capital budget is primarily from state general obligation bonds, with other funding derived from various dedicated taxes, fees, and state trust land timber revenues.

Summary:  The omnibus 1997-99 capital budget is adopted.  The 1997 supplemental capital budget is also incorporated into the act.   The budget authorizes $1.884 billion in new capital projects, of which $906.3 million is from new state bonds authorized for the 1997-99 biennium and $5.7 million for the remainder of the 1997 fiscal year.  Due to the elimination of $14.6 million of previously authorized projects, the net new amount of general obligation bonds subject to the statutory debt limit is $897.4 million.  Reappropriations of $1.2 billion are made for uncompleted projects approved in prior biennia.

The capital budget also authorizes state agencies to undertake various lease-purchase and lease development projects.

Appropriation:  $906 million from general fund-supported bonds for new capital projects for 1997-99.  $5.7 million from general fund-supported bonds for new projects for the remainder of fiscal year 1997.  Other appropriations are made.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 26 23

House     54 41 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

Conference Committee

House     56 42

Senate    25 21

Effective:  April 26, 1997

Partial Veto Summary:  The following were eliminated:  A $10 million appropriation to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development for emergency projects (Section 121); instructions to the State Parks Commission regarding the management of Rocky Reach Trailway (Section 391(4)); and Department of Ecology well regulation fees to local governments (Section 717).