SENATE BILL REPORT
E2SHB 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. |
As of February 28, 2012
Title: An act relating to a competitive grant program for arts and cultural facilities.
Brief Description: Expanding availability of the competitive grant program for arts and cultural facilities.
Sponsors: House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Carlyle, Haler, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Asay, Dunshee, Lytton, Ormsby, Warnick, Walsh, Pettigrew, Kenney and Santos).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/14/12, 80-18.
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/27/12.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Staff: Sherry McNamara (786-7402)
Background: The Building for the Arts program awards state grants to nonprofit performing arts, art museum, and cultural organizations to defray up to 20 percent of the capital costs of new facilities or major renovations.
The Department of Commerce (Department) conducts a statewide competitive grant process every two years to solicit project proposals. The Department reviews and ranks 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 biennial projects 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 technology and science centers are added to the list of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations whose facilities projects may be assisted under the Building for the Arts competitive grant program. A zoo or an aquarium must be an organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A technology and science center must be an organization meeting the requirements to be a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
Beginning with the 2013-2015 biennium, the Department must submit a report along with its biennial capital budget request that:
documents the Department's efforts to market the Building for the Arts grant program statewide and to provide technical assistance so that organizations of diverse types, sizes, and geographic locations have the information necessary to apply;
identifies all the applications received, the sponsors, the funding requested, and the nonstate resources committed; and
documents the criteria and processes used to evaluate and rank recommended projects, with the reasons for rejecting projects.
The total amount of recommended state funding for projects on a biennial project list is increased from $12 million to $16 million.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 25, 2012.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill clarifies that science and technology centers, as well as zoos are eligible to apply for facilities project assistance. We are supportive of the striking amendment that provides for two tracts of projects.
Persons Testifying: PRO: David Foster, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium Society; Megan Lynch Folkestad, Woodland Park Zoo.