HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 3002

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 Passed House:

March 6, 2018

Title: An act relating to making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events.

Brief Description: Making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representative Ormsby).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations: 3/3/18 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/6/18, 51-47.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Appropriates a total of $22.5 million from the Budget Stabilization Account for wildfire costs.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 18 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Bergquist, Cody, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Hudgins, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, Pettigrew, Pollet, Sawyer, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan and Tharinger.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Stokesbary, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Caldier, Condotta, Graves, Haler, Schmick, Taylor, Vick, Volz and Wilcox.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Harris and Manweller.

Staff: Kristen Fraser (786-7148).

Background:

In 2007 the voters ratified a constitutional amendment that created the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA) as Article VII, section 12 of the Washington Constitution (state Constitution). Each year, the State Treasurer must deposit 1 percent of general state revenues (GSR) into the constitutionally created BSA. The term GSR is defined in the state Constitution and is generally synonymous with the statutory State General Fund.

In general, appropriations from the BSA require a three-fifths majority in each house of the Legislature, but in the case of low employment growth or a state of emergency resulting from a catastrophic event, the Legislature may appropriate from the BSA with a constitutional majority vote of each house.

On September 2, 2017, Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency in all counties due to wildfires.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The gubernatorial declaration of emergency due to wildfires is cited.

The following expenditures are authorized from the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA): 

The BSA appropriations do not alter the requirement to balance the budget in the ensuing biennium under the state's four-year balanced budget requirement, also known as the State Budget Outlook. 

An emergency clause is included, making the bill effective immediately.

Appropriation: The bill contains multiple appropriations. Please see the bill.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.