SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2648

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, February 27, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the office of financial management.

Brief Description:  Requiring additional information from certain capital budget applicants.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Murray, Esser, Reardon and McIntire).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/26/02, 2/27/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Brown, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Fraser, Kline, Kohl‑Welles, Long, Parlette, Rasmussen, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Thibaudeau and Winsley.

Staff:  David Schumacher (786‑7474)

Background:  The Governor through Office of Financial Management (OFM) proposes a capital budget and 10‑year capital plan each biennium.  OFM publishes a set of instructions to assist state agencies and others in applying to have a capital project included in the Governor's capital budget proposal.  In its capital budget planning, OFM must verify that recommended capital projects are consistent with the Growth Management Act (GMA).

The GMA was enacted in 1990 and 1991.  It requires certain counties and the cities located in those counties to enact comprehensive plans and development regulations that are consistent with the GMA, and to meet other requirements.  There are 29 counties fully planning under the GMA.  All counties and cities must comply with certain provisions of the GMA (such as identifying and protecting critical areas).

Counties and cities that are fully planning under the GMA must accommodate essential public facilities in their planning.

Summary of Bill:  In its capital budget instructions, OFM must require capital budget applicants to provide additional information for proposed major capital projects:  those that are over $5 million and are required to go through the predesign process.

The applicant must provide a series of "yes" and "no" answers to a variety of questions relating to the project's impact on growth and development.  For all major capital projects, information must be provided to OFM regarding:

   (1)whether there is regional cooperation;

   (2)whether local or additional funds are leveraged; and

   (3) whether environmental impacts of the project are considered.

In addition, for major capital projects located in or serving a county or city fully planning under the GMA, information must be provided to OFM regarding:

   (1)whether the capital project is identified in the local comprehensive plan and development regulations; and

   (2)whether the project is located in an urban growth area and (a) if so, whether the project supports planned growth, or (b) if not, whether the project affects future development patterns.

OFM must take into account this additional information in preparing its capital budget document to promote capital facilities expenditures that minimize unplanned or uncoordinated infrastructure and development costs, support economic and quality of life benefits for existing communities, and support local government planning efforts.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This is a tool for maximum benefit with limited dollars.  It will support local government planning and infrastructure.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Steve Stuart, 1000 Friends of Washington; Bryan Wahl, Mike Flynn, Realtors.