SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1828

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 20, 2018

Title: An act relating to more efficient use of state facilities through aligning the functions of the department of enterprise services and the office of financial management, collecting additional space use data, and making technical corrections.

Brief Description: Concerning more efficient use of state facilities through aligning the functions of the department of enterprise services and the office of financial management, collecting additional space use data, and making technical corrections.

Sponsors: Representatives Irwin, Hudgins and Stanford; by request of Office of Financial Management.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/27/17, 96-0; 1/31/18, 94-0.

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/19/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires that the Office of Financial Management (OFM), instead of the Department of Enterprise Services (DES), conduct space utilization studies, establish standards for use of space by state agencies, and evaluate opportunities for colocation and consolidation of facilities.

  • Requires state agencies report data regarding use of space for office facilities to OFM.

  • Removes requirement for DES to adopt facility efficiency standards, grant exemptions from those standards, or report those exemptions to OFM and the Legislature.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)

Background: DES and OFM are responsible for acquiring and managing real estate on behalf of the state unless the acquisition of real estate is for:

The Director of DES (Director) provides long-range planning services to identify and evaluate opportunities for colocation and consolidation of state facilities, conducts space utilization studies that include identification of such opportunities, and establishes standards for use of space by state agencies.

The Director also determines the location, size, and design of any state real estate or improvements thereon, in conformity with facility efficiency standards adopted by the Director and approved by OFM unless an exemption is granted. Exemptions must be reported by the Director to OFM and appropriate legislative committees annually.

OFM maintains an inventory system to account for facilities owned or leased by the state. The inventory system includes various data, such as the location and size of each facility. OFM must publish a report annually summarizing the information in the inventory system and submit the report to the Legislature.

Summary of Bill: OFM, instead of the Director is required to: (1) conduct the space utilization studies and establish the standards for use of space by state agencies, with the input of state agencies, including DES, and real estate trade organizations; and (2) evaluate opportunities for colocation and consolidation of state facilities in the same geographic area, with the input of the affected state agencies, and DES.

The Director is not required to adopt facility efficiency standards, grant exemptions from those standards, or report those exemptions to OFM and legislative committees.

State agencies must report data regarding use of space for office facilities to OFM.

The state Liquor and Cannabis Board liquor stores and warehouse are removed from statutes governing state properties.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill clarifies the responsibilities with OFM and DES to align the responsibilities between the two agencies. During the interim OFM, DES and the government building owners and leasing associations sorted out the differences within this bill which allowed it to pass the House unanimously.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Scott Merriman, Office of Financial Management.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.