SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6409

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.

Background: Legislation creating Washington's lottery was approved during a 1982 special session of the Legislature called to deal with a projected budget deficit. The bill required that the state general fund receive the state's share of the revenue. In 2000 Washington voters approved I-728 (the K-12 2000 Student Achievement Act), which redirected lottery revenue contributions from the state general fund to education funds beginning July 1, 2001. On April 3, 2002, Governor Gary Locke signed legislation which allowed Washington's lottery to join the multistate lottery Mega Millions effective June 2002.

Profit from all lottery games must benefit education up to the level of $102 million annually. Once the $102 million contribution level for education has been reached, any additional net revenues from Mega Millions benefit the general fund while other lottery games continue to benefit education. From July 1, 2004, to July 1, 2009, all lottery net revenues allocated for education were sent to the education construction fund to help build, renovate, and remodel schools throughout the state.

In 2009 the Legislature redirected lottery dollars for education as well as economic development contributions to the state general fund to support a range of state programs, including education. On July 1, 2009, lottery funds were redirected from the education construction fund to the general fund for the 2009-11 biennium. Also in 2009 the Legislature approved the sale of the multi-state game Powerball. While the education construction fund has been lottery's largest beneficiary, the lottery has been directed by the Legislature to make contributions to stadium funding and problem gambling prevention and treatment.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The Washington investment in excellence account is created. After July 1, 2010, all money in the state lottery account must be placed in the Washington investment in excellence account.

A minimum of 2 percent of the expenditures from the account must be used to recruit entrepreneurial researchers, innovation partnership zones, and research teams. The remainder must be used for higher education financial aid programs including opportunity grants, educational opportunity grants, state work study, GET ready for math and science scholarships, passport to college promise, college bound scholarships, and the Washington promise scholarship.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: Higher education is essential for the personal growth of our citizens and the economic growth of the state. The marketing used in other states encourages sales as a benefit to higher educational attainment and access. The scholarships included in the bill target students that need financial help to fulfill their goals. This will help enhance research opportunities for graduate students. It provides an opportunity for students to become contributors to our state's economic recovery. The state's long-term growth depends on higher educational attainment.

OTHER: This is one way for the state to provide dedicated funding for financial aid.

Persons Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: Senator Kastama, prime sponsor; Jamie Moore, WA Student Association; Sarah Reyneveld, Graduate and Professional Student Senate; Tommy Bauer, John Wheeler, Associated Students of UW-Tacoma; Sherry Burkey, WWU; Ann Anderson, CWU; Margaret Shepherd, UW; Chris Thompson, HECB; Julie Suchaneck, TESC.

OTHER: Jacque Coe, Arlen Harris, WA State Lottery.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Recommended Substitute Bill (Ways & Means): PRO: Washington could generate significantly more money from it if the lottery were marketed as being for college opportunities rather than for frivolous things. It isn't marketed as being for education now because of concerns such marketing would create the public impression that K-12 is fully funded, and thus reduce support for passage of local school levies. The State Work Study program should be funded because it provides jobs for students, while also benefitting local employers and the public universities in their capacity as employers. The State Work Study program is the only form of direct state financial aid available to graduate and professional students. Innovation Partnership Zones need to be funded because they foster collaboration between researchers and business, which in turn promotes innovation and economic development. Recruitment of star researchers needs to be funded because that will support the University of Washington's research programs. Four out of five EWU students receive some form of state financial aid, and the bill provides a way to assure there is adequate funding for those programs. The state lottery should be considered a raffle, not gambling. More people would buy lottery tickets if they considered it a raffle for higher education scholarships. The goal isn't to diminish funding for K-12 or the tribes, but to secure a funding source for higher education scholarships.

CON: The WEA opposes the bill because it would permanently divert funding from the School Construction Account. There are many antiquated and inadequate K-12 facilities in the state. Diverting $102 million per year from School Construction makes it more difficult to replace and repair those facilities.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator Kastama, prime sponsor; Thomas Bauer, Associated Students of UW-Tacoma; Marcus Sweetser, Associated Students of Bellevue College; Mike Bogatay, Associated Students of Washington; John McKean, Associated Students of CWU; Sarah Reyneveld, UW Graduate & Professional Students Association; Jordan Johnston, Associated Students of EWU; Peter Sterr, Associated Students of WSU-Vancouver; Sam Shaddox, Associated Students of WSU; Larry Ganders, WSU; Sherry Burkey, WWU; Marsha Riddle Buly, Council of Faculty Representatives; Jamie Marine, Associated Students of WWU; Lynne Cyr, Seattle Pacific University student.

CON: Randy Parr, Washington Education Association.