SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5375

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 Summary of Bill

Authorizes higher education institutions and state agencies to use 10 percent of an art allocation during the design phase of a construction project.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Rolfes, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair, Operating, Capital Lead; Mullet, Capital Budget Cabinet; Brown, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital; Bailey, Billig, Conway, Darneille, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Liias, Palumbo, Pedersen, Rivers, Van De Wege, Wagoner and Warnick.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Braun, Ranking Member; Becker, Schoesler and Wilson, L..

Background: One-half of 1 percent of the state appropriations for original construction costs of state-owned buildings and public schools is allocated solely for acquiring artwork to be displayed within public buildings or on public lands. This requirement applies only to new construction for state agencies and public schools, and to new construction or renovation projects over $200,000 for colleges and universities. The Washington State Arts Commission operates the Art in Public Places program and expends 85 percent of these funds to purchase artwork that may be placed on public lands; may be within or outside of a public building or structure; or may be part of a portable, temporary, or loaned exhibition. The remaining funds pay for program administration costs, which currently includes up to $100,000 for the conservation and maintenance of the state art collection.

Summary of Bill: Authorizes higher education institutions and state agencies to use 10 percent of an art allocation during the design phase of a construction project. This was authorized in the 2015-17 and 2017-19 capital budgets for higher education institutions and in the 2017-19 capital budget for state agencies. The 0.5 percent to be expended by the Washington State Arts Commission must be adjusted downward by the amount expended by the higher education institution or state agency during the design phase of the capital project.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This a common sense bill that has no fiscal effect in either the operating or capital budget. It streamlines the process for the public art program and allows the Arts Commission to integrate the artwork and to avoid costly work change orders. It encourages collaboration between artist and the architect and those responsible for choosing the artwork for buildings. This is the kind of thing we do with our own houses. We design up-front to save money on the back end.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Karen Hanan, Director, Washington State Arts Commission; Doug Levy, Western States Arts Federation and Humanities Washington.