Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Appropriations Committee

ESJR 8212

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.

Background:

The State Constitution prohibits the state from being interested in the stock, bonds, or credit instruments of any company, association, or corporation. This provision has been interpreted to mean that the state cannot place any investment funds in stock and other equities. As a result, state investments are limited to fixed-income securities such as government and specific types of corporate bonds and certificates of deposit.

In the past, some state funds have been specifically exempted from constitutional investment restrictions through constitutional amendments. Currently, these include public pension or retirements funds, industrial insurance trust funds, and funds held in trust for the benefit of persons with developmental disabilities.

The Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account was established in 2017 in Substitute Senate Bill 5975 to provide paid family and medical leave insurance funded through a premium on employee wages. The Legislature is currently considering House Bill 1087 and Senate Bill 5331 to establish a program to provide long-term services and supports funded through a premium on employee wages for deposit into a Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account. The funds in these accounts would be subject to the constitutional investment restrictions.

Summary of Bill:

At the next general election, an amendment to the State Constitution will be presented to the voters to add funds

for long-term care services and supports to the list of public funds exempt from current constitutional investment restrictions.