SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5679

As of February 14, 2003

Title: An act relating to funding services within the department of general administration.

Brief Description: Funding services within the department of general administration.

Sponsors: Senators Deccio, B. Sheldon, Winsley and Fraser; by request of Department of General Administration.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/17/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff: David Schumacher (786-7474)

Background: The Department of General Administration (GA) provides various services to state agencies including: engineering and architectural services; facilities maintenance; property leasing; goods and services procurement; mail processing; operation of the state Motor Pool; and management of insurance claims against the state. The department generates revenues through rates or fees for services and conducts most of its operations through the General Administration Services Account.

1.   GA provides a fleet of 1,375 vehicles for state agencies' use. GA receives revenue from client agencies that pay a daily vehicle rental charge and a mileage rate. GA is required to seek an appropriation to purchase additional vehicles. Some other agencies that operate motor pools, such as The Washington State Patrol, Liquor Control Board, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Transportation, are not required to have specific appropriation authority to purchase vehicles.

2.   The current method of transferring vehicles from agencies to GA results in the Motor Pool often not having adequate funds to replace the vehicle at the end of its useful life cycle. Many agencies turn over vehicles with very high mileage and without much residual value. For economic reasons, therefore, GA has significantly limited the client agency vehicle transfers to only newer vehicles.

3.   GA has adopted rules requiring that all memorial/commemorative works projects be entirely self-supporting. These projects are required to provide the funds for both the works creation, and funds for on-going maintenance and repairs for the life of the work. Funds generated by the proposers for this purpose are required to be placed in an endowment fund.

Summary of Bill: GA is allowed to purchase additions to the Motor Pool fleet without needing specific appropriation authority.

Greater flexibility is granted to GA for accepting vehicles from other agencies by repealing the current requirement that the Motor Pool must credit the "blue book" value against each agency's bill for services.

The Commemorative Works Account is established in the custody of the State Treasurer. The fund is used for the on-going care, maintenance and repair of commemorative works on the state capitol grounds.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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