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 cccount (DCCA).  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.

Grant applicants must demonstrate that both federal funds and funds from the applicant are committed to the same project for which state grant funding is sought.

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.

The deadline for submitting the DCCA report is moved to November 1st of each even-numbered year.  Federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible for grants from the DCCA.  Grant recipients must demonstrate the federal funding source for which the applicant intends to apply, rather than that federal funds have already been committed to the project. 

PRO:  Moving the report deadline will align its release with when the biennial capital budget is developed, rather than the smaller supplemental capital budget.  Joint Base Lewis-McChord has nearly 100,000 full-time equivalent positions, generating $14 billion in gross economic output and $2.5 billion in tax revenue.  These small but critical changes will improve our ability to support our defense communities.  Tribes can be valuable partners in these efforts.  Programs like this allow investments so that military installations remain viable.  Eligible projects provide shared benefits to military installations and their surrounding communities.  This will improve flexibility in putting together projects, as they require a variety of funding sources.

PRO:  The military and defense sector is a major employer in Washington State.  The Defense Community Compatibility Act was created to identify, prioritize and provide funding to projects that support military communities.  The bill improves administration of the program.