SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6064

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 Summary of Bill

Authorizes higher education institutions and state agencies to use up to 10 percent of the art allocation during the design phase.
Codifies provisions regarding art acquisition, lapsing of funds, annual reporting, and amounts that may be expended for maintaining existing art; and removes the language from the capital budget.

Background: The Legislature established the Art in Public Places Program, administered by the Washington State Arts Commission (Commission) in 1974. Artwork acquisition is funded through Washington’s Omnibus Capital Appropriations Act (capital budget) using a formula of one-half of 1 percent of the state’s portion of construction for new buildings. This includes art allocations for construction of K-12 public schools, higher education institutions, and state agencies. Higher education institutions also receive one-half of 1 percent for renovation projects exceeding $200,000. These artworks become part of the state art collection.

The capital budget includes specific provisions related to art allocations including the parameters for amounts expended on direct acquisitions, the lapsing of art allocations, and an annual report. The 2015-17 and 2017-19 capital budget specified at least 85 percent of the funds expended by the Commission must be for the direct acquisition of works of art. The Commission was authorized to use $100,000 in the 2015-17 and $150,000 in 2017-19 of the amount appropriated to conserve or maintain existing pieces of state art. Additionally during the 2015-17 and the 2017-19 biennium, higher education institutions were authorized to work with the Commission to expend up to 10 percent of the projected art allocation for a project during the design phase. Art allocations that are not expended within the ensuing two biennia are to lapse.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): Higher education institutions and state agencies that receive funding in the capital budget are permitted to expend up to 10 percent of the projected art allocation during the design phase. The one-half of one percent is to be adjusted downward by the amount expended during the design phase.

The provisions specify at least 85 percent of the money spent by the Commission be used on direct acquisition of works of art and that art allocations lapse if not expended within two biennia after the funds are allocated. The Commission is permitted to use up to $200,000 of the amount expended to conserve or maintain existing pieces of the state art collection. The Commission is required to report annually to the Office of Financial Management and fiscal committees of the Legislature regarding the projects commissioned, partner agencies, artwork costs, administrative costs, collection care costs, funding source, and project status.

The 2015-17 and 2017-19 capital budget language are amended to remove the provisions that are codified and instead includes a reference to the new codified section.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute: PRO: The Arts Commission does great work to preserve, develop and distribute amazing art projects in public schools and buildings around the state. The state's art collection is over 42 years old and includes thousands of pieces of art in locations all across the state. It is the second largest in the country. This bill makes permanent the language that has been incorporated into the Capital Budget over the years and will allow the Commission to work with projects on a more integrated scale. It allows for more efficient and effective work between the artist and builder during the design phase which will shorten the artwork project timeline and save the state money.