SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6009
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 Senate Committee On:
Ways & Means, April 18, 2019
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: Senators Rolfes and Braun.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 4/18/19, 4/18/19 [DPS, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill |
|
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6009 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Rolfes, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair, Operating, Capital Lead; Mullet, Capital Budget Cabinet; Braun, Ranking Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital; Bailey, Becker, Billig, Carlyle, Conway, Darneille, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Liias, Palumbo, Pedersen, Rivers, Van De Wege, Wagoner, Warnick and Wilson, L..
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Schoesler.
Staff: Julie Murray (786-7711)
Background: In 2007, the voters ratified a constitutional amendment that created the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA). In general, appropriations from the BSA require a three-fifths majority in each house of the Legislature, but in the case of a catastrophic event or low employment growth, the Legislature may appropriate from the BSA with a constitutional majority vote of each house.
On July 31, 2018, the Governor declared a state of emergency for all of Washington because of the high risk of wildfires throughout the state.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute): The gubernatorial declarations of emergency due to wildfires are cited.
For fiscal year 2019, $40.685 million is appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources for fire suppression costs incurred during the 2018 fire season.
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.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (First Substitute): Removes appropriation for measles outbreak. Increases Department of Natural Resources appropriation by $7,000.
Appropriation: An appropriation of $40.685 million is made to the Department of Natural Resources.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: We support the funding to Clark County Public Health for its response to the measles outbreak. Clark county spent $823,000 with $80,000 covered by a federal grant; $744,000 of costs remains and is provided in this bill. Costs were from hiring temporary employees and overtime. Federal and grant funded staff were also diverted to outbreak response and their compensation must be paid with county general funds. Costs were also from prevention efforts such as contacting persons at-risk from exposure, asking them to stay at home, and updating vaccinations. Those activities prevented new cases and contain the outbreak. Clark County provided the public health response to prevent a statewide outbreak of measles.
Persons Testifying: PRO: John Blom, Clark County/Councilor; Temple Lentz, Clark County/Councilor; Josh Weiss, Clark County.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.