HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2958


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 Reported by House Committee On:
Appropriations

Title: An act relating to the consolidation of state lottery revenue distributional directives into a single provision of law.

Brief Description: Consolidating state lottery revenue distributional directives into a single provision of law.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, McIntire and Jarrett.

Brief History:

Appropriations: 1/28/08, 1/30/08 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Requires any future lottery revenue distributions to be made within RCW 67.70.240.
  • Removes language authorizing state lottery dollars to be used for stadium debt repayment when payment on Qwest and Safeco fields is completed.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 32 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Green, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Ross, Schmick, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sullivan and Walsh.

Staff: Wendy Polzin (786-7137).

Background:

The Washington State Lottery Commission was authorized by the Legislature in 1982. The Washington State Lottery Commission administers several games of chance that are collectively called the State Lottery. Lottery proceeds are used to fund education construction, stadium debt reduction, problem gambling, economic development, and the State General Fund. Currently, some distributions are codified in RCW 67.70.240 and some are in other sections of code.

In 1995 the Legislature authorized funds from the lottery account be used to pay the principal and interest on bonds issued by a county with a population greater than one million to construct a baseball stadium. In 1997, the Legislature authorized further funds to construct a football stadium. Public repayment for the two stadiums is expected to be completed in 2016 and 2020, respectively.


Summary of Substitute Bill:

All statutory references to distribution of lottery revenues are consolidated in RCS 67.70.240. Any future distributions must reference this section of the code. When payment on Qwest and Safeco fields is completed, the authorization to distribute state lottery dollars to be used for stadium debt repayment is deleted.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill includes references to two additional beneficiaries of lottery revenues, the Problem Gambling Account and the Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account. The substitute bill also includes a technical correction to the effective date.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed except sections 2 and 3 which reinstates prior law related to authorization for stadium paydown after a scheduled expiration and takes effect on the earlier of (1) the date distributions are no longer made under RCW 67.70.240(2)(d) and (e) or (2) January 1, 2021.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.