FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 2459

PARTIAL VETO

C 276 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Making supplemental operating appropriations.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Sommers, Fromhold and Sehlin; by request of Governor Locke).

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The state government operates on the basis of a fiscal biennium that begins on July 1 of each odd-numbered year. A biennial operating budget was enacted in the 2003 legislative session, appropriating $23.1 billion from the State General Fund.

Summary:

Appropriations are modified for the 2003-05 fiscal biennium. Prior to the supplemental budget, the total appropriation was $38.6 billion, of which $23.1 billion was from the State General Fund.

The 2004 Supplemental Operating Budget (including those appropriations made in House Bill 1777, home care workers contract) increases general fund spending by $145 million, a 0.6 percent increase from the original budget. Total appropriations are increased by $634 million.

Including the changes made by the supplemental budget, total appropriations for the 2003-05 fiscal biennium are $39.2 billion, of which $23.2 billion is from the State General Fund.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 51  45

Senate 34  15  (Senate amended)

House 84  12  (House concurred)

Effective: April 1, 2004

Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed budget provisions affecting the following agencies: Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, Secretary of State, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, Department of Social and Health Services--Mental Health Division, Superintendent of Public Instruction, higher education institutions, University of Washington, Washington State University, and the Higher Education Coordinating Board. In addition, the Governor vetoed budget provisions regarding allotment reductions for travel, equipment, and contracts, transfers to the general fund, and scholarship eligibility. The vetoes had the net impact of increasing the general fund appropriation level by $19,445,000 and decreasing other fund appropriations by $37,921,000. For more information, see "Legislative Budget Notes," published by the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways & Means Committee.