[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6348196,"mediaKeyId","2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784","parentId",2243151,"title","Capital Budget Committee advances two bills: sync made permanent and early-learning facilities bill cleared from committee","audioSeconds",401,"startMs",2756000,"endMs",3157000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784&start=2756&end=3157","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784/thumbnail_2756000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348196/Washington/Capital-Budget-Committee-advances-two-bills-sync-made-permanent-and-early-learning-facilities-bill-cleared-from-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348196-2f93890ca7a81c92bdd78e18ddc8ae64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188280&Signature=YreKuj6GwBDBXBT7lwcW3~bLeW4t2XLFyDEaTsYud9BZLcwr2z0xSEnmTyWRwv~CAIrZyHRm7SIM-DnZIy9VzqPPUVtCXmzcaV~5MBMY0lFpRszCNOvE5Tmh9eEJg291~9UYxIYQ7bVsFxhjkkxq0WDMX7RN~h3MjvkXorXEgLzQXUWpBhyPs9dAtuBhOTVOum53TK3asnSFCJGSReldBlbWjoxjpjGPVWP0jOh9UurBRyz9pfXx9qCB-mxUFQljvb340xHdng8RNzdOf8joqhsOv0YPQli75Lo2QntH0nWvuV8yLWk~Jo3Txta29QOyis-5xWG8w1OYzWqe1BaN4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Capital Budget ","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Capital Budget Committee voted to report two bills out of committee with due-pass recommendations.

House Bill 1064, sponsored by Representative Abarneau, removes the expiration date for the interagency, multi-jurisdictional System Improvement Team (\"sync\") and makes that team permanent. The panel builds coordination for infrastructure projects across agencies. Vice Chair Representative Callan moved the bill with a due-pass recommendation; committee staff recorded a roll-call tally of 19-0 in favor.

House Bill 1314, sponsored by Representative Kallen, amends competitive criteria for the Early Learning Facilities program and establishes emergency grants to help early-learning providers address urgent facility needs. Vice Chair Callan moved the bill with a due-pass recommendation; the committee approved it by roll-call, 19-0.

Committee discussion on HB 1064 emphasized the sync program's role coordinating multiagency projects to avoid repeated excavation and reduce costs. Supporters described a recently developed data dashboard that helps jurisdictions and agencies avoid redundant work.

During debate on HB 1314, proponents said the bill will expand access to emergency funding for early-learning centers, clarify eligibility for tribal compact schools and support full-day ECAP expansions. Representative Callan urged support, saying the measures will help low-income and rural areas.

The committee did not record individual member roll-call votes in the transcript excerpt but staff announced the final tallies after the expedited roll-call votes. Both bills were reported out of the Capital Budget Committee with due-pass recommendations and will move forward in the House process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Capital Budget - 2/6/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","On Feb. 6 the Capital Budget Committee voted 19-0 to report out House Bill 1064, which removes the sunset for the interagency \"sync\" team, and House Bill 1314, which amends early learning facilities criteria and creates emergency grants.","taxTitle","Capital Budget, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20255,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348201,"Bill would require named subcontractors to hold licenses at time bids are submitted for large public works",159,2288000,2447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784&start=2288&end=2447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784/thumbnail_2288000.jpg","/articles/6348201/Washington/Bill-would-require-named-subcontractors-to-hold-licenses-at-time-bids-are-submitted-for-large-public-works","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348201-f91e039cdbdd10b03503add811d7f71e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188280&Signature=bq4cgUAeG58-FjpwihCwbAzNGNTIHFZoX1TkN3Fay~hXtNZr~eVW04AEjZefTxDfpOZa7ILcy~Zzhgdke2OofmXDAVdI7Zc0IaFPrlwX624FX-8PWKEKRqMjdTyEeZYI1iSF7i86TtdLLoCVyw87xE4Iw3rU1KIUubgiy0j6P1zBg8NP6VAXlsMcXgRr~ECsvRQpbVUshrTUigZqJ--AhtF56XS9-CsBEoD46WEmaMx2zjRtMQpMSyU-Z5xIF5qXBJkmuO4Co8M4m18HgHJi2u2OdX-axsx5Ot1VycKI3dzy6H2e7sBvsiGphmV8DHTgS3zq0qphByU3W730dr0NoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1633 would change the subcontractor listing rules for large public works contracts by requiring that subcontractors named in bids for plumbing, electrical and HVAC work be licensed at the time they are named. The proposal also would prevent a prime contractor from substituting a listed subcontractor on the basis that the subcontractor could not obtain the required license.

Rob Hatfield, staff to the Capital Budget Committee, briefed members that the bill focuses on public works projects expected to exceed $1 million. Under current law, a prime contractor may name itself or a subcontractor to perform plumbing, electrical or HVAC work and may substitute a listed subcontractor in certain circumstances. HB 1633 would require the licensed status to be in place when the subcontractor is named and would remove inability-to-obtain-a-license as a substitution basis.

Hatfield said the fiscal note shows most state agencies reported no fiscal impact from the bill except the Washington State Department of Transportation. WSDOT estimated a fiscal impact of just over $2 million per biennium beginning in the current biennium, primarily from the department's expectation that some low bids would be rejected for licensing noncompliance and the agency would have to award the contract to the next lowest bidder at higher cost.

Representative Liz Berry Hill (sponsor name provided in transcript as Representative Hill) said the bill's intent is to promote transparency and fair competition in bidding and focused on projects over $1 million. She said stakeholders have provided feedback and she is prepared to work on amendments to refine the bill and mitigate unintended consequences.

The committee held a public hearing but had no public witnesses sign in to testify on the bill at this meeting.","House Bill 1633 would require prime contractors to name subcontractors who already hold the required plumbing, electrical or HVAC licenses when submitting bids for public works projects over $1 million and would remove licensing inability as a reason to substitute; WSDOT estimated a $2 million biennial fiscal impact.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348205,"Public Works Board seeks $400 million to replenish revolving fund that backs local water, sewer and road projects",1024,605000,1629000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784&start=605&end=1629","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784/thumbnail_605000.jpg","/articles/6348205/Washington/Public-Works-Board-seeks-400-million-to-replenish-revolving-fund-that-backs-local-water-sewer-and-road-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348205-d5713fe12d37a4c4baecdcc93d6d3e3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188280&Signature=NV9NYfd3s8IdqTOeWUvY3qcUkgldVU3fkDlqpFC5aofTmsZiWhVKh0zZ~48nSrmcqBiuOuCsyAul2Vh7GQVDCZfNR1uH7HcBCvaESjleTD9WXp96qs2iA8Bj4arSYgB6-rHjRAUCbHRdS5MXMJNY55lpeb0DRjNFWn41O3I-QwE24oi1X10c6TVva5U7WvaAxKaHu04a3e6g64UEGYh8QzL3DlXS5E85unQq8610eoeYbNZSgN2nJ4LFYd8o0DonewNUx6X0o3SEobeM9zXmBuqHuPXHl8VKeexZnheUgxp0VjQqomTGby9RR26F507pm9QlHkprDq0PN-NYs~eu5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Catherine Gardeau, chair of the Public Works Board, and Maria Jawad, the board's executive director, briefed the Capital Budget Committee on the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) and the board's revolving loan and grant programs.

Gardeau said the Public Works Board is celebrating its 40th anniversary and described the Public Works Assistance Account as \"a lifeblood of this amazing infrastructure program.\" Jawad told members the board has financed roughly $3.6 billion through more than 2,200 projects since the program began in 1985, with major shares going to drinking-water and wastewater projects.

Jawad outlined how the PWAA operates as a revolving loan fund: legislative appropriations and loan repayments are reloaned to jurisdictions, and local borrowers repay loans over five to 20 years depending on loan terms. The board said it now maintains an open preconstruction cycle and has awarded 37 preconstruction projects this biennium totaling $18.2 million.

The board is requesting a $400 million appropriation for the 2025-27 biennium. Jawad said that if appropriations to the Public Works Board remain at that scale, the revolving nature of the fund would sustain loan repayments and help recapitalize the PWAA; if appropriations drop, she said loan repayments and the fund's capacity would decline over time.

Jawad described the PWAA's three dedicated revenue sources: the solid-waste collection tax, portions of the public-utilities tax and a portion of the real-estate excise tax. She also explained the PWAA often provides the 20% state match that unlocks federal Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund dollars, helping jurisdictions leverage federal infrastructure funding.

The board highlighted near-term figures: a $400 million appropriation in the current biennium allowed the board to award 100 construction projects, support 15 emergency needs, and provide $55 million in grants for distressed and severely distressed communities. The board estimated interest-rate savings to borrowers over the past six years of about $188 million compared with bond-market financing.

Jawad gave an example of loan repayment returning capital to the account: Olympic View Water and Sewer District received a $475,000 award for a lift-station upgrade and repaid principal and interest so the full amount returned to the PWAA, enabling future awards. The board also offered estimates that the program supported nearly 40,000 jobs over 40 years and generated roughly $337 million in construction-related sales tax over that period.

Committee members asked about outreach and whether smaller jurisdictions sometimes assume they are not eligible; board members said staff provide technical assistance and encouraged jurisdictions to apply. Members also discussed the board's dashboard and coordination with other agencies to reduce redundant digging and improve project efficiencies.

The presentation framed the PWAA as a state-level mechanism to make affordable, predictable financing available to local governments for water, sewer, stormwater, roads and other public works, while warning that diversions and transfers away from the account reduce its revolving capacity and future awards.","The Public Works Board told the Capital Budget Committee it has returned to a full revolving model and is requesting $400 million for the 2025-27 biennium to maintain loan repayments, meet pent-up demand and support partnerships with federal funding programs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":80,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348210,"Bill would create targeted capital grants for very small, property-poor school districts",2104,184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784&start=184&end=2288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243151-be609ab9c28ae48574b6a4491008d784/thumbnail_184000.jpg","/articles/6348210/Washington/Bill-would-create-targeted-capital-grants-for-very-small-property-poor-school-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348210-e96fe315c926077db8228d6e9350e763/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188280&Signature=C3JwD0iHqmidBO~yMykFznhHmkzUaIPcGo22eEjoyxNuRlIPoJUbjqJ146xWTL9yICZelL8k72cCSx-aHq95T9dvwS0dU6tIPAhN~NC0U9kafuJF61JLb1baNS-UzExt6WM4GAfqrEjcquwaQjrJA8Yf4ipLTsLZLXA~TlTf-Ns76gvR6nIHzu1JEiDevJGa7AsP5LM6bHZkh~KwhwdwCo3~LbotNgnK2QQSHJgE9KGpmUmZUnUnEZt5AX6NwaDuWx94naIjIdsC16el5UKy0u7rC8lPNUeg~XdAGa-oyKp-F4yhL7UzqEXcFLIKYo9T8kEmcdGOt5PR7icmprGsrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1538, sponsored by Representative Joel McIntyre, would create a new state capital program to help comprehensive modernization or replacement of instructional facilities in school districts with enrollments of 1,000 students or fewer.

John Wilson Topeli, staff to the committee, told the Capital Budget Committee the proposal is substantially the same policy as substitute House Bill 1044 from last session except for a delayed effective date. Under the bill, projects eligible for grants must modernize or replace instructional facilities that are at least 30 years old and recorded as in poor or unsatisfactory condition. The program would fund planning, design and construction costs and be prioritized by an advisory committee using a points- and formula-based scale that gives more weight to districts with less remaining debt capacity and lower enrollments compared with statewide averages.

Representative Joel McIntyre (R-19), the bill's sponsor, described the measure as an effort to provide an objective way to identify and prioritize schools in the worst physical condition. \"This bill puts into place an objective prioritization that will stack schools numerically,\" McIntyre said, adding that the scoring will show \"where we get the most bang for our buck.\" McIntyre, a former teacher, cited examples of schools with leaky roofs, asbestos and insufficient heating and cooling as conditions the bill aims to address.

Under the bill, school district grantees would provide a district cost share equal to at least 50% of the district's remaining debt capacity for capital purposes, capped at an estimated property-tax rate increment of $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed value under specified assumptions about interest rates and amortization. The bill sets the program's effective date at Jan. 1, 2028. A fiscal note was requested but not yet available at the time of the hearing.

During the public hearing, small-school advocates and district leaders testified in support. Jim Kolkowsky, director of the Rural Education Center and a retired small-district superintendent, said the bill \"provides hope\" for property-poor districts that otherwise lack bonding capacity. John Axtell, who identified himself as a student advocate, said he \"strongly support[s]\" the bill while urging the committee to consider lower-cost state financing such as interest-free or very-low-interest loans. Matt Mallory, superintendent of the Mary M. Knight School District, described his district's low assessed valuation and said even at high levy rates the local capacity would not cover large building costs.

Committee staff placed the bill in context with existing statutory capital programs for K-12 education including the School Construction Assistance Program, the Small District and Tribal Compact Schools Modernization Program and the School Seismic Safety Program. Staff noted that, last session, substitute HB 1044 carried an OSPI fiscal estimate of about $440 million for the 2027-29 biennium that would have funded roughly a dozen construction grants and a pipeline of planning grants; that fiscal estimate applied to the earlier bill and the committee requested a new fiscal note for HB 1538.

No committee vote occurred on HB 1538 at this meeting; the hearing was opened and closed with the committee taking written and in-person testimony.

The bill will return to committee for further action once staff and stakeholders complete fiscal and technical work and any amendments are considered.","House Bill 1538 would create a new grant program to modernize or replace instructional facilities in school districts with 1,000 or fewer students, prioritize applications by objective scoring, require a local cost share tied to remaining debt capacity and delay the program's effective date to Jan. 1, 2028.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Capital Budget Committee advances two bills: sync made permanent and early-learning facilities bill cleared from committee

Bill would require named subcontractors to hold licenses at time bids are submitted for large public works

Public Works Board seeks $400 million to replenish revolving fund that backs local water, sewer and road projects

Bill would create targeted capital grants for very small, property-poor school districts