Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Community & Economic Development & Housing Committee |
HB 2587
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: Expanding availability of the competitive grant program for arts and cultural facilities.
Sponsors: Representatives Carlyle, Haler, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Asay, Dunshee, Lytton, Ormsby, Warnick, Walsh, Pettigrew, Kenney and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/26/12
Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).
Background:
For a number of years, the state capital budget has provided capital funding to certain nonprofit organizations through various competitive grant programs. One of these programs, the Building for the Arts program, allows performing arts, art museums, and cultural organizations with facilities projects to apply for the competitive grants. Grant assistance to an organization may not exceed 20 percent of the project cost. The remaining matching funds must be from nonstate sources.
By law, the Department of Commerce (Department) is required to solicit applications for grants under the Building for the Arts program and review and rank the applications in consultation with a citizen advisory committee. The ranking must use objective criteria and consider local community support and an applicant’s existing assets. The Department must then submit a prioritized list of recommended projects that are eligible for funding to the Governor and Legislature in the Department’s biennial capital budget request. The total amount of recommended funding on the Department’s biennial project list may not exceed $12 million.
Since the 2001-2003 biennium, state capital budgets have provided over $37.5 million for Building for the Arts projects. The 2011-2013 State Capital Budget provided just under $2.5 million for these projects.
Summary of Bill:
Zoos, aquariums, and science or technology centers are added to the list of nonprofit cultural organizations whose facilities projects may participate in the Building for the Arts competitive grant program. A zoo or aquarium facility must be for an organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A science or technology center must be for an organization meeting the requirements to be a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers.
The limit on the cost of Building for the Arts projects that the Department may recommend is increased from $12 million to $16 million.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.