HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2735
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Capital Budget
Title: An act relating to intermediate capital projects and minor works.
Brief Description: Regarding intermediate capital projects and minor works.
Sponsors: Representatives Wylie, Zeiger and Dunshee.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Capital Budget: 1/31/12 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Minority Member; Zeiger, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Asay, Jinkins, Lytton, Pearson, Tharinger and Wylie.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Smith.
Staff: Steve Masse (786-7115).
Background:
The capital budget includes appropriations for the construction and repair of colleges and universities, state office buildings, prisons and juvenile rehabilitation facilities, parks, public schools, and for other capital facilities and programs.
Minor Works Projects.
Minor works appropriations in the capital budget are lump sum appropriations to cover smaller preservation and programmatic projects that are similar in nature and cost less than $1 million for most state agencies or less than $2 million for higher education institutions. Typically minor works projects are completed within one biennium. State agencies must file minor works lists and requested revisions with the Office of Financial Management (OFM), the House Capital Budget Committee, and the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Predesigns.
A predesign is a decision-making tool that is required for all capital projects that exceed $5 million. The Legislature and the OFM may also require a predesign for certain stand-alone projects between $1 million and $5 million. The purpose of the predesign is to clearly identify the facility need or problem to be addressed and provide a thoughtful analysis of the options to meet the need or solve the problem. The predesign includes information about the space needs of the proposed program, alternatives to the preferred project, and estimated budget information. The predesign often is prepared by architectural consultants and usually includes a detailed space plan.
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Summary of Bill:
The minor works project threshold for higher education institutions is raised from $2 million to $5 million. The predesign threshold for higher education institutions is raised from $5 million to $10 million.
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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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Raising the limit for minor works projects to $5 million provides more flexibility for higher education institutions and will allow schools to get more repair work done on the campuses. Raising the predesign limit to $10 million allows projects between $5 million and $10 million to be done quicker rather than going through the predesign process. A project that was $5 million 15 years ago is more now when it is adjusted for inflation.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Steve DuPont, Central Washington University; and Byron Starkey, Western Washington University.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.