HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2288

BYRepresentatives H. Sommers, Wood, Rasmussen, Schoon and R. King; by request of  Department of Community Development

Regarding appropriations for public works projects.

House Committe on Capital Facilities & Financing

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Rasmussen, Vice Chair; Schoon, Ranking Republican Member; Beck, Betrozoff, Bowman, Braddock, Fraser, Heavey, Jacobsen, Peery, Rector, Wang and Winsley.

House Staff:Susan Nakagawa (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Under Chapter 43.155 RCW, the Public Works Board, within the Department of Community Development, may make low-interest or interest-free loans to assist local governments in financing public works projects.  Eligible public works include roads, bridges, water systems, and storm and sanitary sewage systems.  The statute establishes eligibility criteria for local governments and priorities for projects.  Each year, the board submits a list of projects to the legislature for approval and appropriation.  The legislature may delete a project from the list but may not add any projects or change the order of the project priorities.

SUMMARY:

Fifty-four public works projects totaling $34,068,230 are recommended by the public works board for fiscal year 1990.  The appropriation for these projects was included in the 1989-91 biennial capital budget.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Pete Butkus, Department of Community Development; Robert C. Anderson, Public Works Board; Jim Justin, Association of Washington Cities; Jim Salatino, Washington Sewer District.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The public works trust fund program provides necessary assistance to local government for critical infrastructure development.  Without approval of the legislation, critical projects could not be undertaken.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.