HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1016

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government & Tribal Affairs

Title: An act relating to changing the membership on the capitol campus design advisory committee.

Brief Description: Changes membership on the capitol campus design advisory committee.

Sponsors: Representative Hunt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government & Tribal Affairs: 1/20/09, 2/17/09 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Flannigan, Hurst and Miloscia.

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135)

Background:

The governance of the capitol campus and all state facilities in Thurston County is through the State Capitol Committee (SCC), with day-to-day management provided by the Department of General Administration (GA). The SCC was established by the Legislature in 1921 and replaced the State Capitol Commission created in 1901. The SCC approves construction of all state buildings in Thurston County; approves acquisition of real estate for state government in Thurston County; and carries out other duties as specified by the Legislature. The members of the SCC are the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Commissioner of Public Lands (ex officio). The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee (CCDAC) advises the SCC and the General Administration (GA) regarding state capitol facilities and grounds. Specifically, the CCDAC reviews programs, planning, design, and landscaping of state capitol facilities and grounds, and makes recommendations that will further the architectural, aesthetic, functional, and environmental excellence in design and maintenance of capitol facilities on campus and in neighboring communities.

The CCDAC consists of four legislators, the Secretary of State, two architects, a landscape architect, and an urban planner. Staff resources are provided by the GA. The CCDAC was originally created by Executive Order in 1984, continued through budget provisos, and enacted into statute in 1990.

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Summary of Bill:

The mayor of the City of Olympia is added as a member of CCDAC.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) When discussions occur about starting a project, whether it involves siting or design, or looking at rental property and leases for state buildings, it would be helpful to have a representative from the City of Olympia on the CCDAC.  The City of Olympia supports the bill.  It is important to the process to exchange planning information for purposes of police control during construction and where traffic backups may occur.  Past interactions with the state over capitol campus development and planning have sometimes been in the form of a last minute call.  It would be helpful to have an opportunity to be included earlier in the process. This is an opportunity to highlight the direct connection between the capitol campus, downtown Olympia, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Allowing the city representation on the committee is an important step towards additional cohesive regional planning efforts and linking the interdependence and shared responsibilities between the city and state for growth in the area.  The interface between the city and state government will be enhanced by having the mayor serve on the CCDAC.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Hunt, prime sponsor; Mike Ryherd, Jackie Barrett Sharar, and Derek Valley, City of Olympia; and Steve Hall, Olympia City Manager.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.