SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1440

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 of March 9, 2011

Title: An act relating to the building communities fund program competitive process.

Brief Description: Regarding the building communities fund program competitive process.

Sponsors: Representatives Kenney, Ryu, Liias and Hasegawa.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/26/11, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 3/10/11.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff: Brian Sims (786-7431)

Background: The Building Communities Fund (BCF) Program provides grants for qualified community and social service capital projects in distressed areas of the state, and provides funding support to nonprofit agencies to acquire, develop, or rehabilitate these facilities. These facilities must be used for the delivery of nonresidential community services, including social service centers and multipurpose community centers. Qualified projects must be located in a distressed community or serve a substantial number of low-income or disadvantaged persons.

Distressed communities are defined as:

Grant assistance awarded through the BCF Program may cover up to 25 percent of the total cost of qualified projects, with the ability to reduce the non-state match requirement under exceptional circumstances. Beginning January 1, 2011, the Department is required to submit an annual report to the Legislature on the BCF Program.

The 2009 Capital Budget, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1216, made some changes to the authorizing legislation for the 2009-2011 biennium. Those changes included:

Twenty-five projects approved by the Governor and the Legislature were awarded Building Communities Fund awards in the amount of $28 million for the 2009-11 biennium. As of December 2010, $21.917 million was expended.

For the 2011-13 biennium, 22 projects totaling $14.679 million were submitted to the Governor and the Legislature for consideration.

Summary of Bill: The Department is required to rank BCF proposals, in addition to their current requirement to solicit and evaluate proposals.

An applicant can meet one of the qualification requirements for the BCF consideration by demonstrating that a proposed project will offer three or more distinct activities that meet a single community service objective.

Up to 10 percent of the total grant amount may be awarded to qualified eligible projects that meet the definition of exceptional circumstances as defined in the act. These include but are not limited to:

The Department must submit a ranked list biennially, not annually, in its Capital Budget request to the Governor and the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.