SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5530
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Ways & Means, January 27, 2022
Title: An act relating to the building for the arts program.
Brief Description: Concerning the building for the arts program.
Sponsors: Senators Frockt, Cleveland, Das, Dhingra, Lovelett, Mullet, Nguyen, Wellman and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 1/20/22, 1/27/22 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the allowable amount of recommended state funding for the biennial Building for the Arts project list from $12 million to $18 million.
  • Increases the amount of state grant assistance for individual projects from 20 percent to 33.3 percent of the estimated total capital costs, or actual cost of a project, whichever is less.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Rolfes, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair, Capital; Robinson, Vice Chair, Operating & Revenue; Wilson, L., Ranking Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Schoesler, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital; Honeyford, Ranking Minority Member, Capital; Billig, Braun, Carlyle, Conway, Dhingra, Gildon, Hasegawa, Keiser, Mullet, Muzzall, Pedersen, Van De Wege, Wagoner, Warnick and Wellman.
Staff: Wendy Brown (786-7359)
Background:

The Building for the Arts program awards state grants to nonprofit organizations to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate performing arts, art museums, and cultural facilities.  The Department of Commerce conducts a statewide competitive grant process every two years to solicit project proposals, and evaluate and rank the projects in consultation with a citizen advisory committee.  The evaluation and ranking process considers local community support for a project and an examination of existing assets that applicants may apply to the project.  The total amount of the recommended state funding for a biennial list of projects has an upper limit of $12 million.  The $12 million threshold was increased to $16 million in the 2019-21 and 2021-23 capital budgets.  Commerce may establish the amount of state grant assistance for individual projects, but the amount may not exceed 20 percent.  The amount of state grant assistance was increased to 33.3 percent in the 2019-21 fiscal biennium, but not in 2021-23.
Summary of Bill:

The allowable amount of recommended state funding for the biennial Building for the Arts project list is increased from $12 million to $18 million.
 
The amount of state grant assistance for individual projects is increased from 20 percent to 33.3 percent of the estimated total capital costs or actual cost of a project, whichever is less.
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 program offers the single most impactful funding opportunity for our theatre and others.  The bill will help provide high-quality production performing arts space with the increased funding and increase in state match.  This bill will allow us to provide arts and community spaces in small, rural areas.  The single biggest impediment to accessing the Building for the Arts program has been the 20 percent state match.  This bill helps communities access funds for the arts.  Many organizations do not have the ability to raise large amounts of money and increasing the state match will provide fund raising relief to our community and other communities.  The bill will have a positive impact on our communities and economy.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator David Frockt, Prime Sponsor; Charlie Brown, Seattle Rep; Marnie Rorholm, Spokane Valley Summer Theatre; Bob McKenzieSullivan, Tenino Young_At-Heart Theatre; David Foster; FAALUAINA PRITCHARD, ASIA PACIFIC CULTURAL CENTER; Sarah Rathbone, Clark + May.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.