HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1289

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 plaques for certain state-funded capital budget projects.

Brief Description: Concerning plaques for certain state-funded capital budget projects.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, DeBolt, Tharinger, Doglio, Pike, McBride, Sells, Van Werven, Ryu, Macri, MacEwen, Stonier and Ormsby.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Capital Budget: 2/3/17, 2/7/17 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Directs the Department of Commerce and the Washington State Historical Society to require the inclusion of the plaque on certain projects funded through the capital budget.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Tharinger, Chair; Doglio, Vice Chair; Peterson, Vice Chair; DeBolt, Ranking Minority Member; Smith, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dye, Johnson, MacEwen, Macri, Morris, Reeves, Riccelli, Ryu, Sells and Stonier.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Steele and J. Walsh.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Koster and Kraft.

Staff: Melissa Palmer (786-7388).

Background:

The capital budget provides funding for capital projects, including acquisition, construction, and renovation through a variety of competitive grant programs and local and community projects. Funding is specified in the State Omnibus Capital Appropriations Act for the competitive grant programs and local and community projects and is generally provided on a reimbursement basis. As a condition of receiving funding, a funding recipient is required to use the facility for its intended purposes for a minimum of 10 years.

The Building for the Arts (BFA) program was created in 1991 to provide competitive grants to nonprofit performing arts, art museums, and cultural organizations. The BFA program provides up to 20 percent of the eligible costs of acquisition, construction, and major renovations. There is a maximum grant award of $2 million per project. The Department of Commerce (Commerce) provides a ranked list to the Legislature every two years totaling no more than $12 million dollars.

The Building Communities Fund (BCF) program was created in 2008 to provide competitive grants to nonprofit, community-based organizations for nonresidential projects that serve low-income or disadvantaged persons. The BCF program provides up to 25 percent of the cost of the project. The Commerce provides a ranked list to the Legislature every two years.

The Youth Recreational Facilitates (YRF) program was created in 2003 to provide competitive grants to nonprofit organizations for youth recreational facilities. There is a maximum grant award of $1.2 million per project. The YRF program provides up to 25 percent of the total costs. The Commence provides a ranked list to the Legislature every two years totaling no more than $8 million.

The Heritage Capital Projects Fund (HCPF) was created in 1995 to provide competitive grants to support capital needs and facilities of heritage organizations, tribal governments, public development authorities, and local governments. The HCPF provides up to 33 percent of the cost of a project. The Washington State Historical Society (Historical Society) provides a ranked list to the Legislature every two years totaling no more than $10 million.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Commerce and the Historical Society must require that the plaque provided by the Arts Commission be affixed or displayed for projects that receive more than $99,000 through the HCPF, BFA, BCF, YRF, and local and community projects. The plaque at a minimum should state the project was made possible by the tax dollars of Washington citizens.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The requirement that the Arts Commission provide a plaque for inclusion on certain capital budget funded projects is removed.  The Commerce and the Historical Society are to require a 5-3/4 inches square plaque be affixed or displayed for projects that receive more than $99,000 through the HCPF, BFA, BCF, YRF, and local and community projects.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Folks who receive more than $99,000 through certain programs funded in the capital budget would have to include a plaque.  This would let the public know the project was supported with taxpayer dollars.  These types of projects occur in districts all over the state.  Years ago, the capital budget included a similar provision for entities that wanted to voluntarily include a plaque. This is a good way to show tax dollars at work.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Riccelli, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.