SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6108

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Ways & Means, February 24, 1998

Title:  An act relating to fiscal matters.                                   .

Brief Description:  Relating to fiscal matters.

Sponsors:  Senator West.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/23/98, 2/24/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6108 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Long, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, Swecker, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Steve Jones (786-7440)

Background:  The operating expenses of state government and its agencies and programs are funded on a biennial basis by an omnibus operations budget adopted by the Legislature in odd-numbered years.  In even-numbered years, a supplemental budget is adopted, making various modifications to agency appropriations.

State operating expenses are paid from the state General Fund and from various dedicated funds and accounts.  The 1997 Legislature appropriated $19.085 billion from the state General Fund.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Appropriations from various agencies are modified, with no net increase in appropriations from the state General Fund.  $200 million from General Fund revenues is deposited in the state=s Emergency Reserve Fund.  For additional information, see "1998 Supplemental Operating & Capital Budget Summary" and "Statewide Summary and Agency Detail" published by the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation:   See above.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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