SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6332
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:
Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 2, 2012
Title: An act relating to a competitive grant program for arts and cultural facilities.
Brief Description: Expanding availability of the competitive grant program for arts and cultural facilities.
Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Murray, Kilmer, Harper, Frockt, Pridemore, Litzow, Conway and McAuliffe.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 1/30/12, 2/02/12 [DP, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Chase and Nelson.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Benton.
Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)
Background: The Building for the Arts program (BFA) was created by the Legislature in 1991. BFA awards grants to nonprofit performing arts, art museum, and cultural organizations. The grants pay up to 20 percent of eligible capital costs for acquisition, construction, or renovation of capital facilities.
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) conducts a statewide competitive grant process every two years to solicit project proposals. A citizen advisory committee, including a representative from the State Arts Commission, assists Commerce by helping establish program policy and reviewing and ranking project proposals. Commerce then forwards the list of recommended projects to the Governor for consideration in the state capital budget. Capital budget requests for BFA must not exceed $12 million in any biennium. Ranking criteria include:
ability to complete the project expediently;
organizational capacity to run the facility effectively;
community need; and
availability of other funding sources.
Summary of Bill: BFA may be used for eligible capital costs for acquisition; construction; or renovation of cultural organizations, zoos, aquariums, and science or technology centers. A facility for a zoo or aquarium must be for an organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a facility for a science or technology center must be for an organization that meets the requirements to be a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. The list of recommended projects submitted by Commerce to the Governor for consideration in the state capital budget may include zoos, aquariums, and science or technology center projects. Capital budget requests for BFA must not exceed $16 million in any biennium.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill expands the eligibility for organizations that can apply for funding from the BFA. This bill will allow at least ten more organizations to apply for grants. Visitors to the state spend more than $300 a day on tourist activities. These grants allow the tourist attractions to flourish which will bring more tourist dollars to the state. These organizations have informal science education programs. By freeing up funding from capital projects, these organizations can fund more education programs. This will create workforce development. By including these other organizations in the program, the geographic diversity of the BFA will be broadened.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Mary Brueggerman, Future of Flight Foundation; Jane Rakay Nelson, Woodland Park Zoo; Bob Davidson, Seattle Aquarium.