SB 5163

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5163

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 Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, February 15, 2007

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/24/07, 2/15/07 [DPS].

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5163 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Poulsen, Spanel and Stevens.

Background: The State Capitol Committee, with the assistance of the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee, is responsible for fully or partially erecting permanent and temporary buildings, excavating such buildings, or making other temporary or permanent improvements on the state capitol grounds. The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee also reviews programs, planning, and landscaping of the capitol facilities and grounds with the purpose of making recommendations that will contribute to the attainment of architectural, aesthetic, and functional excellence in design and maintenance of capitol facilities on campus.

The Department of General Administration (GA) is responsible for the stewardship, preservation, operation, and maintenance of the state capitol public and historic facilities subject to the policy direction of the State Capitol Committee. GA is charged with providing the proper care, heating, lighting, and repair of the buildings on the state capitol grounds.

The mission of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) is to acquire, operate, enhance, and protect a diverse system of recreational, cultural, historical, and natural sites which include 120 developed parks and recreation programs. State Parks is governed by a board of seven volunteer citizens appointed by the Governor.

Summary of Bill: Washington State Capitol Campus is designated as a state park.

The State Parks is required to develop an action plan for the park and submit the plan to the Legislature by November 1, 2007. The action plan must contain the following elements: (1) proposals to promote tourism; (2) proposals to enrich the educational experience; and (3) proposals to increase volunteer opportunities.

Various statutes are amended to transfer the custody, control, and stewardship responsibilities concerning the capitol campus from GA to State Parks. State Parks is authorized to contract with GA for the administration and maintenance of the buildings and grounds of the state capitol campus.

State Parks is placed on the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee and the Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): GA and the State Parks Department must jointly host a task force to study and develop recommendations on the following:

The task force membership is specified. The task force is required to report its recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, and a reporting date is provided. The task force expires July 1, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill contains several effective dates. Please refer to the bill.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: If we are trying to passively manage these prime properties, then they should be managed like a park. GA needs to look at Capitol Campus and the tourism and cultural opportunities it offers in a more creative way. Tourism is an economic development tool that is being overlooked in the current administration of the campus. We need to seriously kick it up a notch. Why can't the campus have at a minimum, a gift shop to provide tourists an opportunity to buy a souvenir of our beautiful capitol?