Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 2092
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. |
Brief Description: Prohibiting the use of transportation funds for public works of art or artistic designs.
Sponsors: Representatives Shea, Overstreet, Taylor, Scott, Condotta, Haler, Buys, Hargrove, Schmick, Rodne, Pike, Magendanz and Vick.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/21/14
Staff: Alyssa Ball (786-7140).
Background:
The Legislature established the Art in Public Places Program, administered by the Washington State Arts Commission, in 1974. State agencies that are appropriated funds for the construction of public buildings are required to allocate to art projects 0.5 percent of the total amount appropriated to the project. State entities required to include art in construction projects include agencies, boards, councils, commissions, quasi-public corporations, and public schools. Because the state constitution prohibits the expenditure of fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees on non-highway purposes, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) does not allocate such funds to the Art in Public Places Program. However, the ferries program's public facilities (both terminals and vessels), which may be funded with flexible funds, may have an art component.
Federal law requires that state highway projects be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with state laws, regulations, directives, safety standards, design standards, and construction standards. To satisfy this, the WSDOT has developed a design manual, which provides policies, procedures, and methods for developing and documenting the design of improvements to the transportation network in Washington. Per the WSDOT design manual, the WSDOT uses architectural finish treatments on bridges and walls. The WSDOT has standard formliners for bridge and wall finishes, but custom formliners may be used as part of a visual mitigation agreement with a community, with the stipulation that the community requesting the use of custom formliners bear the expense. Custom formliners must fit with the corridor theme and must not be a visual distraction.
Summary of Bill:
The bill prohibits funds appropriated to state transportation agencies from being expended on works of art or decorative finishes or designs on a transportation structure.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2014.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.