HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5291
As Reported by House Committee On:
Capital Budget
Title: An act relating to the report deadline for the defense community compatibility account.
Brief Description: Concerning the report deadline for the defense community compatibility account.
Sponsors: Senators Conway and Randall.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Capital Budget: 3/16/21, 3/23/21 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Changes the deadline for submission of the Defense Community Compatibility Account report to November 1 of each even-numbered year.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 23 members:Representatives Tharinger, Chair; Callan, Vice Chair; Hackney, Vice Chair; Steele, Ranking Minority Member; Abbarno, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; McEntire, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bateman, Dye, Eslick, Gilday, Kloba, Kraft, Leavitt, MacEwen, Maycumber, Mosbrucker, Peterson, Riccelli, Rule, Santos, Sells, Shewmake and Volz.
Staff: Richelle Geiger (786-7139).
Background:

Defense Community Compatibility Account.
In 2019 the Legislature created the Defense Community Compatibility Account.  Subject to the availability of funding, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) may award grants to local governments for projects to address incompatible development connected to Washington state military installations.  Eligible projects may include:  

  • acquisition of real property or real property interests to eliminate an existing incompatible use;
  • projects to jointly assist in the recovery or protection of endangered species dependent on military installation property for habitat;
  • projects or programs to increase the availability of housing affordable to enlisted military personnel and nonmilitary residents in the local community;
  • projects to retrofit existing uses to increase their compatibility with existing or future military operations;
  • projects to enable local communities heavily dependent on a nearby military installation to diversify the local economy, so as to reduce the economic dependence on the military base;
  • projects that aid communities to replace jobs lost in the event of a reduction of the military presence; and
  • projects that improve or enhance aspects of the local economy, environment, or quality of life impacted by the presence of military activities.

 

Commerce must produce a report with a prioritized list of projects to address incompatible developments near military installations by January 1, 2020, and every two years thereafter.  Projects must be prioritized with consideration for:  

  • recommendations of the Department of Defense and federally initiated land use processes; and
  • whether a branch of the United States Armed Forces has identified the project as increasing the viability of military installations.
Summary of Bill:

The deadline for submitting the Defense Community Compatibility Account report is changed to November 1 of each even-numbered year.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The bill is a technical fix from a bill that passed two years ago that created the Defense Community Compatibility Account (DCCA) to address compatibility issues between military installations and the community.  The date change will allow vetted community requests for state funds to be submitted in time for consideration in the biennial capital budget, instead of the supplemental capital budget.  Washington has five military installations which create jobs and have a huge impact on the state economy.  The 2021 report included a request for the Lakewood Water District Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Treatment project, which was funded with state bonds in the Governor's proposed capital budget.  It is recommended that the PFAS project be funded through the DCCA.  Another request was for $1.4 million to acquire properties to leverage federal funds. 

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Conway, prime sponsor; Bill Adamson, and Briahna Murray, South Sound Military and Communities Partnership; and Dave Andersen, Washington State Department of Commerce.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.