ESHB 2687

HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESHB 2687

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representative Sommers; by request of Office of Financial Management).

Passed House: 2/25/08, 62-33.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 2/28/08, 31-17.
House Refused to Concur.
Conference Committee.
Passed Senate: 3/13/08, 31-18.
Passed House: 3/13/08, 64-32.
Passed Legislature.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Cody, Conway, Darneille, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Green, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, Morrell, Pettigrew, Schual-Berke, Seaquist and Sullivan.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Chandler, Hinkle, Kretz, McDonald, Priest, Ross, Schmick and Walsh.

Background:

The state government operates on a fiscal biennium that begins July 1 of each odd-numbered year. The 2007-09 biennial operating budget appropriated $29.6 billion from the State General Fund for a variety of purposes. The State General Fund and several other accounts, referred to as Near General Fund, had appropriations of $33.4 billion. The total budgeted amount, which includes state and federal funds, was $56.8 billion.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill:

Appropriations are modified for the 2007-09 biennium. This bill increases State General Fund appropriations by $223 million. Near General Fund accounts, which include both the State General Fund and several other accounts, increase by $299 million. Total budgeted funds are increased by $445 million.

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

Persons Testifying: (In support) Robby Stern, Washington State Labor Council; Sue Elliott, Arc of Washington; Mary Alice Grobins, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Jim Larson, Morningside; Vaughn Profit Breaux, American Cancer Society; Mary Lindquist, Washington Education Association; Seth Dawson, Wall Street Coalition for the Homeless; Robin Zukowski, Columbia Legal Services; Bill Daley, Washington Community Action Network; Randy Dorn, Public School Employees; Terry Bergeson, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Miguel Perez-Gibson, Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation; Dave Johnson, Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates; and Naki Stevens, People for Puget Sound.

(In support with concerns) Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society and Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

(With concerns) Charlie Brown, Washington Asparagus Council; Gary Weeks, Washington Health Care Association; Kathleen Lopp, Career and Technical Education; Mitch Denning, Alliance of Education Associations; Sarah Cherin, Children's Alliance; Ellie Menzies, SEIU Healthcare 1199 Northwest; Jim Crabbe, State Board of Community and Technical Colleges; Dennis Eagle, Washington Federation of State Employees; Rudy Taylor; Melissa Johnson, Community Residential Services Association; Sean Pickard, Washington Dental Service Foundation; Rich Rutkowski, Green River Community College; Evelyn Larson, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs; and Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington State Association of Head Start and EACAP Programs.

(Opposed) Dennis Mahar, Washington Association Area Agency on Aging; Amber Carter, Association of Washington Business; and Jerry Reilly, Eldercare Alliance.

(Other) Dan Simnioniw, Washington State Residential Care Council; Jennifer Allen, Planned Parenthood; Joanne Moore, Office of Public Defense; Nick Federici, Washington United for Quality Nursing Home Care and United Way of King County; Dan Johnson, Washington School Food Service Association; Susie Tracy, Washington State Medical Association, Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging; Jim Slowik, Mayor, City of Oak Harbor; Nora Kelley, SEIU Health Care 775; Sherry Burkey, Western Washington University; George Scarola, League of Education Voters; Jake Stillwell, Washington Student Lobby; Laura Wells, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Randy Hodgins, University of Washington; Julie Suchanek, The Evergreen State College; Matthew Kreiling, Washington Student Lobby; Bill Robinson, Nature Conservancy; Clifford Traisman, Washington Conservation Voters; Mo McBroom, Washington Environmental Council; and Gregory Robinson, Washington Community Mental Health Council.