Brief Description: Authorizing a new subaccount in the public works assistance account.

Sponsors: Representatives Schoesler, Linville, Chandler, Grant, Clements, Newhouse, Armstrong and Delvin.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

• Creates a subaccount in the Public Works Assistance Account to receive money to fund water storage projects and water systems facilities projects.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 24 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Hunt, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Priest, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Benson, Blake, Bush, Chase, Flannigan, Hankins, Hinkle, Kirby, Lantz, Mastin, McIntire, Morrell, Murray, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Schoesler, Simpson and Woods.

The Public Works Assistance Account, commonly known as the Public Works Trust Fund, was created by the Legislature in 1985 to provide a source of loan funds to assist local governments and special purpose districts with infrastructure projects. The Public Works Board, within the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED), is authorized to make low-interest or interest-free loans to finance the repair, replacement, or improvement of the following public works systems: Bridges; roads; water and sewage systems; and solid waste and recycling facilities. All local governments except port districts and school districts are eligible to receive loans. In addition to construction projects, the Public Works Assistance Account can also be used for emergency loans, preconstruction loans, and capital facility planning loans.

The substitute bill creates a subaccount in the Public Works Assistance Account to receive money to fund water storage projects and water systems facilities projects. Any projects funded by the subaccount must follow the competitive bid requirements applicable to Public Works Trust Fund projects. The subaccount is administered by the Public Works Board and is separate from the other programs managed by the Public Works Board.

The substitute bill clarifies the creation of the subaccount and that it is separate from other Public Works Trust Fund programs.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill creates a subaccount to handle appropriations for water storage and water systems facilities projects managed by an agency with a good track record in this area.