BILL REQ. #:  S-0623.1 

Read first time 01/11/2007.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to creating the Washington state capitol park; amending RCW 79.24.710, 79.24.730, 46.08.150, 43.34.080, 27.48.040, 43.34.090, 46.08.172, 79.24.300, 79.24.540, 79.24.560, and 79.24.570; adding new sections to chapter 79A.05 RCW; repealing RCW 43.19.125 and 79.24.530; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Washington state's legislative building is the most vital and preeminent public building in this state and serves as both a working governmental center and a symbol of Washington's free and democratic government. It is the centerpiece of the five historic capitol buildings and grounds designed by New York architects Walter Wilder and Harry White. This building and its contents reflect the dreams and achievements of many individuals and organizations across the history of Washington. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to establish and recognize the capitol campus and grounds as a uniquely valuable cultural and historical resource that should be preserved and promoted as an outstanding example of Washington state heritage. To that end, the legislature creates the Washington state capitol park. As a capstone state park, the capitol campus grounds and buildings will provide an enhanced learning and recreational experience as visitors are exposed to the history of Washington and witness modern lawmaking shaping the future of this great state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The capitol campus as described in RCW 79.24.710 is designated as a state park.
     (2) The commission shall develop an action plan for the Washington state capitol state park containing, at a minimum, the following elements:
     (a) Proposals to promote tourism at the Washington state capitol campus, including but not limited to: Concessionaire enhancements, audio-visual self-guided tour options, a central visitor center with souvenir/retail opportunities, and clear and understandable wayfinding guides;
     (b) Proposals to enrich the educational experience including but not limited to both the present and historical activities/utilization of the capitol campus as the seat of state government, the unique architectural features of the campus, and horticultural and art collections; and
     (c) Proposals to increase volunteer opportunities at the campus.
     The commission shall submit the action plan to the legislature by November 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The commission shall have custody and control of the capitol buildings and grounds, supervise and direct proper care, heating, lighting, and repair thereof, and designate rooms in the capitol buildings to be occupied by various state officials.
     (2) The commission may contract with the department of general administration for the maintenance and administration of the buildings and grounds of the state capitol campus.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The commission shall develop, amend, and modify an overall plan for the design and establishment of state capitol buildings and grounds on the east capitol site in accordance with current and prospective requisites of a state capitol befitting the state of Washington. The overall plan, amendments, and modifications thereto are subject to the approval of the state capitol committee.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The commission is responsible for the stewardship, preservation, operation, and maintenance of the public and historic facilities of the state capitol, subject to the policy direction of the state capitol committee and the guidance of the capitol campus design advisory committee. In administering this responsibility, the commission shall:
     (1) Apply the United States secretary for the interior's standards for the treatment of historic properties;
     (2) Seek to balance the functional requirements of state government operations with public access and the long-term preservation needs of the properties themselves; and
     (3) Consult with the capitol furnishings preservation committee, the state historic preservation officer, the state arts commission, and the state facilities accessibility advisory committee in fulfilling the responsibilities provided for in this section.

Sec. 6   RCW 79.24.710 and 2005 c 330 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     For the purposes of RCW 79.24.720, 79.24.730, 43.01.090, 43.19.500, and 79.24.087, "state capitol public and historic facilities" includes:
     (1) The east, west and north capitol campus grounds, Sylvester park, Heritage park, Marathon park, Centennial park, the Deschutes river basin commonly known as Capitol lake, the interpretive center, Deschutes parkway, and the landscape, memorials, artwork, fountains, streets, sidewalks, lighting, and infrastructure in each of these areas not including state-owned aquatic lands in these areas managed by the department of natural resources under RCW ((79.90.450)) 79.105.010;
     (2) The public spaces and the historic interior and exterior elements of the following buildings: The visitor center, the Governor's mansion, the legislative building, the John L. O'Brien building, the Cherberg building, the Newhouse building, the Pritchard building, the temple of justice, the insurance building, the Dolliver building, capitol court, and the old capitol buildings, including the historic state-owned furnishings and works of art commissioned for or original to these buildings; and
     (3) Other facilities or elements of facilities as determined by the state capitol committee, in consultation with the ((department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission.

Sec. 7   RCW 79.24.730 and 2005 c 330 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) To provide for responsible stewardship of the state capitol public and historic facilities, funding for:
     (a) Maintenance and operational needs shall be authorized in the state's omnibus appropriations act and funded by the general ((administration services account as provided under RCW 43.19.500)) general fund and the state parks renewal and stewardship account as provided under RCW 79A.05.215;
     (b) Development and preservation needs shall be authorized in the state's capital budget. To the extent revenue is available, the capitol building construction account under RCW 79.24.087 shall fund capital budget needs. If capitol building construction account funds are not available, the state building construction account funds may be authorized for this purpose.
     (2) The ((department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission may seek grants, gifts, or donations to support the stewardship of state capitol public and historic facilities. The ((department)) state parks and recreation commission may: (a) Purchase historic state capitol furnishings or artifacts; or (b) sell historic state capitol furnishings and artifacts that have been designated as state surplus by the capitol furnishings preservation committee under RCW 27.48.040(6). Funds generated from grants, gifts, donations, or sales for omnibus appropriations act needs shall be deposited into the ((general administration services account)) state parks renewal and stewardship account created in RCW 79A.05.215. Funds generated for capital budget needs shall be deposited into the capitol building construction account.

Sec. 8   RCW 46.08.150 and 1995 c 384 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((director of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission shall have power to devise and ((promulgate)) adopt rules and regulations for the control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the parking of motor vehicles on the state capitol grounds. However, the monetary penalty for parking a motor vehicle without a valid special license plate or placard in a parking place reserved for ((physically disabled persons)) individuals with disabilities shall be the same as provided in RCW 46.16.381. Such rules and regulations shall be ((promulgated)) adopted by publication in one issue of a newspaper published at the state capitol and shall be given such further publicity as the ((director)) state parks and recreation commission may deem proper.

Sec. 9   RCW 43.34.080 and 1990 c 93 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The capitol campus design advisory committee is established as an advisory group to the capitol committee and the ((director of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission to review programs, planning, design, and landscaping of state capitol facilities and grounds and to make recommendations that will contribute to the attainment of architectural, aesthetic, functional, and environmental excellence in design and maintenance of capitol facilities on campus and located in neighboring communities.
     (2) The advisory committee shall consist of the following persons who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor:
     (a) Two architects;
     (b) A landscape architect; and
     (c) An urban planner.
     The governor shall appoint the chair and vice-chair and ((shall instruct the director of general administration to)) the state parks and recreation commission shall provide the staff and resources necessary for implementing this section. The advisory committee shall meet at least once every ninety days and at the call of the chair.
     The members of the committee shall be reimbursed as provided in RCW 43.03.220 and 44.04.120.
     (3) The advisory committee shall also consist of the secretary of state and two members of the house of representatives, one from each caucus, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and two members of the senate, one from each caucus, who shall be appointed by the president of the senate.
     (4) The advisory committee shall review plans and designs affecting state capitol facilities as they are developed. The advisory committee's review shall include:
     (a) The process of solicitation and selection of appropriate professional design services including design-build proposals;
     (b) Compliance with the capitol campus master plan and design concepts as adopted by the capitol committee;
     (c) The design, siting, and grouping of state capitol facilities relative to the service needs of state government and the impact upon the local community's economy, environment, traffic patterns, and other factors;
     (d) The relationship of overall state capitol facility planning to the respective comprehensive plans for long-range urban development of the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater, and Thurston county; and
     (e) Landscaping plans and designs, including planting proposals, street furniture, sculpture, monuments, and access to the capitol campus and buildings.

Sec. 10   RCW 27.48.040 and 1999 c 343 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this section.
     (a) "State capitol group" includes the legislative building, the insurance building, the Cherberg building, the John L. O'Brien building, the Newhouse building, and the temple of justice building.
     (b) "Historic furnishings" means furniture, fixtures, and artwork fifty years of age or older.
     (2) The capitol furnishings preservation committee is established to promote and encourage the recovery and preservation of the original and historic furnishings of the state capitol group, prevent future loss of historic furnishings, and review and advise future remodeling and restoration projects as they pertain to historic furnishings. The committee's authority does not extend to the placement of any historic furnishings within the state capitol group.
     (3) The capitol furnishings preservation committee account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts designated for the account from appropriations and from other sources must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only to finance the activities of the capitol furnishings preservation committee. Only the director of the Washington state historical society or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account when authorized to do so by the committee. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
     (4) The committee may:
     (a) Authorize the director of the Washington state historical society or the director's designee to expend funds from the capitol furnishings preservation committee account for limited purposes of purchasing and preserving historic furnishings of the state capitol group;
     (b) Accept monetary donations, grants, and donations of historic furnishings from, but not limited to, (i) current and former legislators, state officials, and lobbyists; (ii) the families of former legislators, state officials, and lobbyists; and (iii) the general public. Moneys received under this section must be deposited in the capitol furnishings preservation committee account; and
     (c) Engage in or encourage fund-raising activities including the solicitation of charitable gifts, grants, or donations specifically for the limited purpose of the recovery of the original and historic furnishings.
     (5) The membership of the committee shall include: Two members of the house of representatives, one from each major caucus, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; two members of the senate, one from each major caucus, appointed by the president of the senate; the chief clerk of the house of representatives; the secretary of the senate; the governor or the governor's designee; the lieutenant governor or the lieutenant governor's designee; a representative from the office of the secretary of state, the office of the state treasurer, the office of the state auditor, and the office of the insurance commissioner; a representative from the supreme court; a representative from the Washington state historical society, ((the department of general administration)) a representative designated by the state parks and recreation commission, and the Thurston county planning council, each appointed by the governor; and three private citizens, appointed by the governor.
     (6) Original or historic furnishings from the state capitol group are not surplus property under chapter 43.19 RCW or other authority unless designated as such by the committee.

Sec. 11   RCW 43.34.090 and 2002 c 164 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature shall approve names for new or existing buildings on the state capitol grounds based upon recommendations from the state capitol committee and the ((director of the department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission, with the advice of the capitol campus design advisory committee, subject to the following limitations:
     (a) An existing building may be renamed only after a substantial renovation or a change in the predominant tenant agency headquartered in the building.
     (b) A new or existing building may be named or renamed after:
     (i) An individual who has played a significant role in Washington history;
     (ii) The purpose of the building;
     (iii) The single or predominant tenant agency headquartered in the building;
     (iv) A significant place name or natural place in Washington;
     (v) A Native American tribe located in Washington;
     (vi) A group of people or type of person;
     (vii) Any other appropriate person consistent with this section as recommended by the ((director of the department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission.
     (c) The names on the facades of the state capitol group shall not be removed.
     (2) The legislature shall approve names for new or existing public rooms or spaces on the west capitol campus based upon recommendations from the state capitol committee and the ((director of the department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission, with the advice of the capitol campus design advisory committee, subject to the following limitations:
     (a) An existing room or space may be renamed only after a substantial renovation;
     (b) A new or existing room or space may be named or renamed only after:
     (i) An individual who has played a significant role in Washington history;
     (ii) The purpose of the room or space;
     (iii) A significant place name or natural place in Washington;
     (iv) A Native American tribe located in Washington;
     (v) A group of people or type of person;
     (vi) Any other appropriate person consistent with this section as recommended by the ((director of the department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission.
     (3) When naming or renaming buildings, rooms, and spaces under this section, consideration must be given to: (a) Any disparity that exists with respect to the gender of persons after whom buildings, rooms, and spaces are named on the state capitol grounds; (b) the diversity of human achievement; and (c) the diversity of the state's citizenry and history.
     (4) For purposes of this section, "state capitol grounds" means buildings and land owned by the state and otherwise designated as state capitol grounds, including the west capitol campus, the east capitol campus, the north capitol campus, the Tumwater campus, the Lacey campus, Sylvester Park, Centennial Park, the Old Capitol Building, and Capitol Lake.

Sec. 12   RCW 46.08.172 and 1995 c 215 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The director of the department of general administration, in conjunction with the state parks and recreation commission, shall establish equitable and consistent parking rental fees for the capitol campus and may, if requested by agencies, establish equitable and consistent parking rental fees for agencies off the capitol campus, to be charged to employees, visitors, clients, service providers, and others, that reflect the legislature's intent to reduce state subsidization of parking or to meet the commute trip reduction goals established in RCW 70.94.527. All fees shall take into account the market rate of comparable privately owned rental parking, as determined by the director. However, parking rental fees are not to exceed the local market rate of comparable privately owned rental parking.
     The director may delegate the responsibility for the collection of parking fees to other agencies of state government when cost-effective.

Sec. 13   RCW 79.24.300 and 1977 c 75 s 90 are each amended to read as follows:
     The state capitol committee may construct parking facilities for the state capitol adequate to provide parking space for automobiles, said parking facilities to be either of a single level, multiple level, or both, and to be either on one site or more than one site and located either on or in close proximity to the capitol grounds, though not necessarily contiguous thereto. The state capitol committee may select such lands as are necessary therefor and acquire them by purchase or condemnation. As an aid to such selection the committee may cause location, topographical, economic, traffic, and other surveys to be conducted, and for this purpose may utilize the services of existing state agencies, may employ personnel, or may contract for the services of any person, firm or corporation. In selecting the location and plans for the construction of the parking facilities the committee shall consider recommendations of the director of general administration.
     Space in parking facilities may be rented to the officers and employees of the state on a monthly basis at a rental to be determined by the director of general administration, in conjunction with the state parks and recreation commission. The state shall not sell gasoline, oil, or any other commodities or perform any services for any vehicles or equipment other than state equipment.

Sec. 14   RCW 79.24.540 and 1961 c 167 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     State agencies which are authorized by law to acquire land and construct buildings, whether from appropriated funds or from funds not subject to appropriation by the legislature, may buy land in the east capitol site and construct buildings thereon so long as the location, design, and construction meet the requirements established by the ((department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission and approved by the state capitol committee.

Sec. 15   RCW 79.24.560 and 1961 c 167 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission shall have the power to rent, lease, or otherwise use any of the properties acquired in the east capitol site.

Sec. 16   RCW 79.24.570 and 2000 c 11 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:
     All moneys received by the ((department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission from the management of the east capitol site, excepting (1) funds otherwise dedicated prior to April 28, 1967((,)); (2) parking and rental charges and fines which are required to be deposited in other accounts((,)); and (3) reimbursements of service and other utility charges made to the ((department of general administration)) state parks and recreation commission, shall be deposited in the capitol purchase and development account of the state general fund.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 43.19.125 (Powers and duties -- Division of capitol buildings) and 1965 c 8 s 43.19.125; and
     (2) RCW 79.24.530 (Department of general administration to design and develop site and buildings -- Approval of capitol committee) and 1961 c 167 s 4.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18   Sections 1 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 79A.05 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19   Section 17 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect June 30, 2007.