| VETO MESSAGE ON E2SHB 2418 |
| March 30, 2006 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning, without my approval as to Sections 9, 10 and 14, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2418 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to affordable housing." |
| The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) is required in Section 9 of the bill to conduct a study to evaluate the potential development of a voluntary statewide, low-income housing waiting list database. The database would include information on all low-income households requesting housing assistance, for the purpose of connecting such households with appropriate housing opportunities. CTED is also required in Section 10 to create or purchase, and implement by December 31, 2009, a master affordable housing database that includes specific information about existing affordable rental housing stock in the state of Washington. The activities outlined in Sections 9 and 10 of the bill are likely to create funding pressures for future biennial budgets. |
| Section 14 requires specific funding to be transferred from the General Fund to the Washington Housing Trust Fund by June 30, 2006, or the Act will be null and void. However, the transfer authorized by the Legislature in the Operating Budget bill occurs after June 30, 2006. |
| As funding provided in the Operating Budget related to this bill is insufficient, CTED will not be able to implement all of the activities contemplated. Notwithstanding this, CTED should do all that it can with the funding available to achieve the objectives of this bill. |
| For these reasons, I have vetoed Sections 9, 10 and 14 of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2418. |
| With the exception of Sections 9, 10 and 14, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2418 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine O. Gregoire |
| Governor |