HOUSE BILL REPORT

SJM 8038

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government

Brief Description:  Asking the federal government for cooperation with the military facilities task force.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, B. Sheldon, Oke, Swecker, Rasmussen, Shin, Gardner, Roach, Hale and Costa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/28/02, 3/1/02 [DPA].

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House Committee)

$Requests the federal government to assure participation by the U.S. military with the Washington military facilities study.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; McMorris, Ranking Minority Member; McDermott, Schindler, Schmidt and Upthegrove.

Staff:  Kimberly Berry (786‑7291).

Background:

The federal National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 requires that a fifth round of military base closings begin in March 2005.  There have been four rounds of military base closings since 1988, with 451 installations closed to date.  There are seven major military bases located in Washington.

Military base infrastructure costs are being reduced through Department of Defense programs that outsource and privatize base support services and activities.  Examples include the military housing privatization initiative, and the privatization of the on‑base portion of military utility systems.

In Washington there is no formal governmental structure to facilitate the combined efforts of the Governor, the Legislature, local governments, private industry and the U.S. military to avert the closure of military facilities located in the state.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The President, Congress and the Secretary of Defense are informed that Washington places the highest priority on the continuation of military activities at Washington military bases.  To avoid the closure of these bases, the Washington Legislature expects immediate passage of legislation tasking the Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs to conduct a Washington military facilities study.  The purpose of the study is to ensure the viability of Washington military facilities by recommending changes to state and local laws and regulations, and by facilitating cooperative efforts such as outsourcing and privatizing military base infrastructure support activities.  Congress is asked to assure full and prompt participation by the U.S. military with the Washington military facilities study.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

References to the Legislative Military Facilities Task Force are changed to a Washington military facilities study conducted by the Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs.  References to the privatization of base infrastructure as the primary goal are deleted.  Instead the purpose of the study is described as ensuring the viability of military bases by recommending changes to state and local laws and regulations, and by facilitating cooperative efforts such as outsourcing and privatizing military base infrastructure support activities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Testimony For:  This joint memorial asks the federal government to allow the U.S. military to participate in the task force created by Senate Bill 6779.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Haugen, prime sponsor.