SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5291
As Passed Senate, March 4, 2021
Title: An act relating to the report deadline for the defense community compatibility account.
Brief Description: Concerning the report deadline for the defense community compatibility account.
Sponsors: Senators Conway and Randall.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government & Elections: 2/05/21, 2/12/21 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 3/4/21, 48-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Moves the deadline for submission of the Defense Community Compatibility Account report to November 1st of each even-numbered year.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Hunt, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Wilson, J., Ranking Member; Hasegawa and Hawkins.
Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)
Background:

Base Realignment and Closure.  Base realignment and closure (BRAC) is a process the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has used to reorganize its base structure to more efficiently and effectively support its forces, increase operational readiness, and facilitate new ways of accomplishing its mission.  More than 350 installations have been closed in five BRAC rounds:  1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2005.  No BRAC commission process is ongoing or authorized.

 

Defense Community Compatibility Account.  In 2019, the Legislature created the Defense Community Compatibility Account.  Subject to the availability of funding, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) may award grants to local governments for projects to address incompatible development connected to Washington State military installations, including:

  • acquiring real property or real property interests to eliminate an existing incompatible use;
  • projects to jointly assist in recovering or protecting endangered species dependent on military installation property for habitat;
  • local infrastructure or facilities necessary to help a community accommodate an expanded military presence in their community;
  • projects or programs to increase the availability of affordable housing to enlisted military personnel; and
  • projects to retrofit existing uses to increase their compatibility with existing military operations.

 

Commerce must produce a report with a prioritized list of projects to address incompatible developments near military installations by January 1, 2020, and every two years thereafter.  Projects must be prioritized with consideration for:

  • recommendations of the DOD, BRAC, joint land use studies, or other federally initiated land use processes; and
  • whether a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has identified the project as increasing the viability of military installations.
Summary of Bill:

The deadline for submitting the Defense Community Compatibility Account report is moved to November 1st of each even-numbered year.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
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 aligns the reporting deadline with when the Legislature conducts major capital budget discussions, rather than discussions on the supplemental capital budget.  The January deadline was initially necessary to meet a window for a federal community investment program.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Steve Conway, Prime Sponsor; Dave Andersen, Department of Commerce; Bill Adamson, South Sound Military & Communities Partnership.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.