SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2234

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, March 1, 2004

Title: An act relating to state capitol campus governance.

Brief Description: Creating the legislative buildings committee.

Sponsors: House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Romero, Schoesler, Hunt, Dunshee and Alexander).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/18/04, 3/1/04 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Zarelli, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Doumit, Fairley, Fraser, Hale, Honeyford, Johnson, Pflug, Prentice, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Sheahan, B. Sheldon and Winsley.

Staff: Chelsea Buchanan (786-7446)

Background: The State Capitol Committee (SCC) provides for the governance of the capitol campus and all state facilities in Thurston County, with day-to-day management provided by the Department of General Administration (GA). The SCC approves construction of all state buildings in Thurston County, approves acquisition of real estate for state government in Thurston County, and carries out other duties as specified by the Legislature. The members of the SCC are the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Commissioner of Public Lands.

Summary of Amended Bill: The State Capitol Committee membership is changed. The Governor and four legislators serve as voting members. The Commissioner of Public Lands, the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, and the State Historic Preservation Officer serve as non-voting members. The four legislators include two each from the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the majority and minority parties in each chamber.

The State Capitol Committee is made solely responsible for establishing policy regarding space use and historic preservation of the historic buildings on the capitol campus.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: The Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor remain on the committee, and serve as ex offico, non-voting members.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The membership of the State Capitol Committee has changed over the years. This bill puts decisions about the campus in the hands of elected officials who are responsible for producing budgets – the Governor and legislators.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Romero, prime sponsor; Representative Alexander, sponsor.