Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Capital Budget Committee

HB 2825

Brief Description:  Creating an advisory panel to determine funding guidelines for heritage capital projects.

Sponsors:  Representatives Upthegrove and Miloscia.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Establishes an advisory panel to determine project funding guidelines and review project applications for heritage capital projects.

$Declares that rules governing evaluation criteria must specify objective criteria; the method by which applications will be measured against the criteria; and the method by which applications will be ranked against other applications.

$Requires the Washington State Historical Society to report to the appropriate fiscal committees of the Legislature on the evaluation criteria and procedures for awarding heritage capital projects by December 15, 2002.

Hearing Date:  2/6/02

Staff:  Susan Howson (786‑7142).

Background:

In 1995, a competitive state grant program was established in statute for Washington heritage capital projects.  The Heritage Program, administered by the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS), has received $12.3 million in capital budget appropriations since the program's inception.

The WSHS is required to submit a prioritized list of heritage capital projects to the Governor and the Legislature in the Society's biennial capital budget request.   The prioritized list must be developed in consultation with leaders in the heritage field, including representatives from the Office of the Secretary of State, the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, and the State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.  In addition, the list must be developed through open, public meetings using rules adopted by the WSHS which govern project eligibility and evaluation criteria.

State assistance is limited to up to 33 percent of the total project cost. The non‑state portion of the total project cost may include cash, the value of real property if acquired solely for the purpose of the project, and in‑kind contributions.

Summary of Bill:

An advisory panel is established to determine project funding guidelines and to review project applications.  The advisory panel must consist of at least five members appointed by each of the following: the Washington Museum Association; the Eastern Washington State Historical Society; the Office of the Secretary of State; the State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation; and other members appointed by the WSHS as necessary.  Advisory panel members must have relevant, demonstrated interest or expertise in the heritage field, and they must reflect the state's cultural and geographic diversity.

Rules governing evaluation criteria must specify objective criteria, the method by which applications will be measured against the criteria, and the method by which applications will be ranked against other applications.  The WSHS must provide project applicants with an explanation of the criteria that a successful applicant must meet.  Project applicants must submit an independent financial statement.

By December 15, 2002, the WSHS must report to the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Capital Budget Committee on the evaluation criteria and procedures for awarding heritage capital projects.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.