BILL REQ. #:  H-4163.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/11/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating the facilities review council; and adding a new section to chapter 43.88 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.88 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The facilities review council is hereby created as an advisory group to the legislature to review facilities leasing proposals and policy recommendations that will contribute to the overall fiscal stability of the operating and capital budgets.
     (2) The council shall consist of one individual appointed by the governor, and four legislative members, each of whom are appointed by the chairperson of the two largest political caucuses in the senate and house of representatives. The chair of the council shall be selected from among the four caucus appointees. The council may select such other officers as the members deem necessary. The office of financial management shall provide the staff and resources necessary for implementing this section. The council shall meet at least every ninety days. The members of the council shall be reimbursed as provided in RCW 43.03.220 and 44.04.120.
     (3) The council shall review six-year plans recommended by the office of financial management annually. The review shall include: (a) Major lease renewals or new major lease proposals over fifty thousand square feet; (b) vacancy rates in state-owned and leased facilities; and (c) leasing rates for state-owned facilities and privately owned facilities.
     (4) Each review of a major lease proposal or new major lease proposal shall include at a minimum a seventy-five year life-cycle cost analysis, the LEED designation, any high performance building measures, location proximity to public transit and local amenities, colocation and collaborative efforts, square feet per person, and ratio of offices to cubicles.
     (5) The council shall make recommendations to the legislature including: (a) Priorities for present and future office leasing or building needs; (b) appropriations for leasing or building needed space; (c) any statutory changes necessary to ensure effective space planning; and (d) new design criteria, standards, and procedures in the planning and construction of new or remodeled leased buildings.
     (6) This section does not apply to the acquisition of real estate by: (a) The state college and universities for research or experimental purposes; (b) the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of transportation, and the state parks and recreation commission for purposes other than the leasing of offices, warehouses, and real estate for similar purposes; and (c) the department of commerce for community college health career training programs, offices for the department of commerce or other appropriate state agencies, and other nonprofit community uses, including community meeting and training facilities, where the real estate is acquired during the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium.