SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2345

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, February 25, 2004

Title: An act relating to establishing a commemorative works account for the department of general administration.

Brief Description: Establishing a commemorative works account for the department of general administration.

Sponsors: Representatives Sommers, Alexander, Romero, Hunt, Kenney, Sullivan and Moeller; by request of Department of General Administration.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/25/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Chelsea Buchanan (786-7446)

Background: There are currently 19 commemorative works located on the Capitol Campus. The oldest was erected in 1938; the most recent in 1999. The funding to maintain and repair these commemorative works is appropriated by the Legislature in the General Administration Services Revolving Account through Seat of Government charges.

Summary of Bill: The Commemorative Works Account, a nonappropriated account, is created to fund the ongoing care, maintenance, and repair of future commemorative works on the state capitol grounds. Only the Director of the Department of General Administration, or the director's designee, may authorize expenditures from the account. The account retains the interest on its earnings.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Commemorative works and memorials add beauty and meaning to the Capitol campus. Since 1997, proponents of new commemorative works have had to provide funding for ongoing maintenance. This new account would receive funds from private sources and encourage responsible planning and improved accounting.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Andy Stepelton, Department of General Administration.