SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5350

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to authorizing the military department to dispose at public bid of the state armory land and buildings known as the Pier 91 property and acquire replacement property and improvements.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the military department to dispose at public bid of the state armory known as the Pier 91 property and acquire replacement property and improvements.

Sponsors:  Senators Patterson, Horn, Rossi, Hargrove and Haugen; by request of Military Department.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/29/01, 2/19/01 [DPS‑WM, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5350 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Horn, Roach, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Fairley and Vice Chair; McCaslin.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Background:  Armories were established by special or temporary act dating back to 1907.  The Washington Army National Guard, a part of the Military Department, owns approximately 25 acres in Seattle, commonly known as Pier 91.  The Guard has occupied this site since 1967.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Military Department is authorized to sell, lease or exchange the Pier 91 property under the direction of the Adjutant General.  This transaction may occur only if it will contribute toward a sufficiency of funds for the acquisition of another site.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute requires a minimum of 30 days before the bid closing for the publication of the call for bids for the sale of the Pier 91 property.  The source of any additional funds available to the state Military Department is clarified to be federal funds.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The Pier 91 property was acquired 30 years ago.  Since then, the urban character of the Seattle metropolitan area has intensified making ingress and egress of miliary equipment and personnel very difficult.  The Military Department's ability to respond to the WTO situation was compromised.  Other agencies such as DNR, Parks and DOT can acquire and dispose of property while the Military Department has not been given this authority.  Commercial real estate appraisals run from $8 to $10,000.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jim Peterson, Rick Read, Military Department (pro).