FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 2921

C 3 L 10

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Making 2010 supplemental operating appropriations.

Sponsors: House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, Darneille, Ericks, Pettigrew, Probst, Haigh, Sullivan, Kelley and Wallace).

House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The state government operates on a fiscal biennium that begins July 1 of each odd-numbered year. The 2009-11 biennial Omnibus Operating Appropriations Act appropriated $31.4 billion from the State General Fund and two other accounts, referred to as Near General Fund-State. The total budgeted amount, which includes state and federal funds, is $58.7 billion.

Summary:

Appropriations are modified for the 2009-11 biennium. Near General Fund-State appropriations are reduced by $45.4 million. Total budgeted funds decrease by $54.8 million.

State agencies are prohibited, except for a number of exemptions, from creating new positions and filling vacant positions, from entering into personal service contracts, from purchasing equipment over $5,000, and from paying for out-of-state travel for the remainder of the biennium. An exception process is established for critically necessary work of an agency when approved by the director of the Office of Financial Management (or the director's designee), for non-judicial and non-legislative agencies, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for judicial agencies, and the Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives for legislative agencies. Authorized exceptions must be published electronically at least quarterly on the state fiscal website.

The provisions prohibiting hiring, personal service contracts, equipment purchases over $5,000, and out-of-state travel, with a number of exemptions, along with the exception process, take effect thirty days after the effective date of the act.

Votes on Final Passage: