HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1359

As Reported by House Committee On:

Capital Budget

Title:  Relating to capital appropriations.

Brief Description:  Making appropriations and authorizing expenditures for capital improvements.

Sponsors:  Representatives Alexander (co‑prime sponsor), Murray (co‑prime sponsor) and McIntire; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Capital Budget:  4/26/01 [DPS].

  Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Adopting the 2001-2003 Capital Budget.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 17 members: Representatives Alexander, Republican Co‑Chair; Murray, Democratic Co‑Chair; Armstrong, Republican Vice Chair; Esser, Republican Vice Chair; McIntire, Democratic Vice Chair; Bush, Casada, Hankins, Hunt, Lantz, O'Brien, Ogden, Poulsen, Reardon, Schoesler, Veloria and Woods.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786‑7340).

Background:

The programs and agencies of state government are funded on a two-year basis, with each fiscal biennium beginning on July 1 of odd-numbered years.  The Capital Budget generally includes appropriations for the acquisition, construction, and repair of capital assets such as land, buildings, and other infrastructure improvements.  Funding for the capital budget is primarily from state general obligation bonds, with other funding derived from various dedicated taxes, fees, and state trust land timber revenues.

Summary of  Substitute Bill:

The omnibus 2001-03 Capital Budget authorizes $2.475 billion in new capital projects, of which $855.2 million is from new state debt limit bonds which must be authorized in a bond bill.  Reappropriations of $1.554 billion are made for uncompleted projects approved in prior biennia.

The Capital Budget also authorizes state agencies to undertake various lease-purchase and lease development projects.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill replaces the Governor's Capital Budget proposal with the proposal by House Capital Budget co-chairs Representatives Alexander and Murray.

Appropriation:  The sum of $855.2 million from general fund-supported bonds and $1.620 billion from other funds for new capital projects for 2001-03.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.