SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5992
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions, February 26, 2001
Title: An act relating to transfers of funds from the public works administration account.
Brief Description: Eliminating transfers of funds from the public works administration account.
Sponsors: Senators Prentice, Winsley, Gardner, Honeyford, Patterson, West and Rasmussen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions: 2/22/01, 2/26/01 [DP‑WM].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Franklin, Hochstatter, Honeyford, Patterson, Rasmussen, Regala, West and Winsley.
Staff: Elizabeth Mitchell (786‑7430)
Background: The public works administration account generates revenue from Department of Labor and Industries fees for: 1) the approval of statements of intent to pay the prevailing wage; 2) the certification of affidavits of wages paid; and 3) the arbitration of disputes.
Every quarter, 30 percent of the revenue in the public works administration account is transferred to the general fund.
Summary of Bill: The provision that 30 percent of the revenue in the public works administration account is to be transferred to the general account each quarter is eliminated.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The bill will increase resources needed for administration of prevailing wage laws. The fees charged are user fees that are designed to let the department self-fund the prevailing wage law. The current transfer of funds is beyond the level of self-funding and compromises the department=s ability to serve the program needs of state and local agencies.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Otto Hermann, Rebound (pro); Jim Justin, Association of WA Cities (pro); Jim Christianson, Rich Irvin, L&I.