Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Capital Budget Committee |
ESHB 1075
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 capital budget.
Sponsors: House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representative Tharinger; by request of Office of Financial Management).
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/9/18
Staff: Melissa Palmer (786-7388).
Background:
Washington operates on a biennial budget cycle. During the odd-number fiscal years, the Legislature historically authorizes expenditures for capital needs in the Omnibus Capital Appropriations Act (Capital Budget) for a two-year period, and authorizes bond sales through passage of a bond bill associated with the Capital Budget to fund a portion of these expenditures. Historically, over half of the Capital Budget is financed by these state-issued general obligation bonds, and the balance is funded by dedicated accounts, trust revenue, and federal funding sources. During the even-number fiscal years, the Legislature historically enacts a supplemental budget making adjustments to the two-year budget is often passed during the even-numbered years. The Legislature did not authorize an Omnibus Capital Appropriations Act or bond sales during the 2017 Legislative session. The current 2017-19 biennium covers the period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.
The Capital Budget includes appropriations for the acquisition, construction, and repair of capital assets such as state office buildings, prisons, juvenile rehabilitation centers, residential habilitation centers, mental health facilities, military readiness centers, and higher education facilities. The Capital Budget also funds a variety of environmental and natural resource projects, parks and recreational facilities, public K-12 school construction, and grant and loan
programs that support housing, public infrastructure, community service facilities, and art and historical projects.
Summary of Bill:
The 2017-19 Capital Budget authorizes new appropriations totaling $4.2 billion, of which $2.7 billion is financed with state general obligation bonds. It authorizes state agencies to enter into a variety of alternative financing contracts totaling $174 million. It also authorizes reappropriations totaling $2.8 billion for uncompleted projects approved in prior biennia. The 2017 Supplemental budget has a net increase in new appropriations of $4.9 million dollars. It also reduces reappropriations by $8.9 million dollars.
Appropriation: The sum of $4.2 billion in new appropriations and $2.8 billion in reappropriations in the 2017-19 biennium and the sum of $4.9 million in new appropriations and a reduction of $8.9 million in reappropriations in the 2015-17 biennium.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.