FINAL BILL REPORT
SB 5324
C 438 L 23
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning the defense community compatibility account.
Sponsors: Senators Conway, Nobles, Lovick, Fortunato, Hunt, Wagoner, Randall and Wilson, C.; by request of Department of Commerce.
Senate Committee on State Government & Elections
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
House Committee on Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans
House Committee on Capital Budget
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 (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.
Summary:

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 have a nonfederal funding source, rather than that federal funds have already been committed to the project.  DCCA grants may only be awarded to capital projects.

 

Priority must be given to grant applications:

  • that have secured nonstate funding for the project;
  • that leverage a higher proportion of nonstate funding; or
  • where a federal grant requires timely state matching funds.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate 49 0
House 97 0 (House amended)
Senate 48 0 (Senate concurred)
Effective:

Ninety days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.July 23, 2023