Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
SSB 6342
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the Washington soldiers' home.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker, Hobbs, Franklin, Carrell, McDermott, Pridemore, Marr, Shin and Fairley; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/18/10
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
Article 10, section 3 of the state Constitution calls for the Legislature to provide for the maintenance of a soldiers' home for honorably discharged Union solders, sailors, marines and members of the state militia disabled while in the line of duty and who are citizens of the state. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) operates the state's three veterans homes: the Spokane Veterans' Home, located in Spokane; the Washington Veterans' Home, located in Retsil; and the Washington Soldiers' Home, located in Orting. Indigent veterans and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible to apply for admission to a state veterans' home. The veterans' homes provide both domiciliary and nursing care.
The Washington Soldiers' Home was established in 1891 with the erection of Washington Barracks. Garfield Barracks was built in 1917. Currently, there are about a dozen buildings on the 181-acre campus.
The Department of General Administration's Statutory Authority for Leasing Facilities.
The Department of General Administration (GA) has the statutory authority to acquire, lease, purchase, and dispose of real estate on behalf of those state agencies that do not have specific statutory authority. The GA may fix the terms and conditions of leases, except that no lease may extend more than 20 years in duration.
Summary of Bill:
The DVA is authorized to work with public or private entities on projects to make the best use of the soldiers' home property and facilities. Projects may include, but are not limited to, the renovation and long-term lease of the Garfield Barracks building. All long-term leases of the soldiers' home property are subject to the requirements of the GA's statutory authority for leasing facilities, except that long-term leases may run for up to 75 years. Before the commencement of any project, the Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs (JCVMA) must approve a final proposal regarding the lease terms and the development plans.
Senate Bill Compared to the House Bill
The Senate bill adds the provision that the JCVMA must approve lease terms and development plans.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.