223393 RELATING TO CAPITAL EXPENDITURES; CREATING THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; REQUIRING THAT THE COMMISSION ANNUALLY HEAR PROPOSALS FOR AND REVIEW CAPITAL OUTLAY-FUNDED PROJECTS

Sen Bill Tallman

Actions:

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 Senate Bill 223393 relates to capital expenditures and creates the Public Works Commission, a 12-member commission appointed by the legislature to review proposals for capital outlay funding, and appropriates $335,000 in recurring funds to carry out the duties of the commission.    

  SB 223393 creates a 12-member Public Works Commission (PWC) appointed by the legislature.  The composition consists of four members of the house of representatives, four members of the senate, and 4 members who are selected by the eight members already appointed.  The final group of members must have expertise in architecture, engineering, construction or public finance. The members will proportionately represent political parties. The bill directs the speaker of the house and the committee’s committee or the president pro tem to select the PWC’s chair and vice chair, whose seats will rotate each year and to remove a member for nonattendance. Actions must be approved by majority. The PWC may hire staff and the PWC may request aid from the Legislative Counsel Service and the Legislative Finance Committee. 
The bill mandates the PWC to meet at least six times a year to review proposals for capital outlay funding of projects and status of projects authorized with capital outlay funding. PWC is given certain powers to carry out its duties including obtaining necessary project information; convening hearings; evaluating and ranking proposals; and rulemaking.
The bill requires the PWC to study and review certain projects including those meeting critical health and safety needs; create jobs; listed in Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plans; and that have funding available from other state and non-state sources. PWC will develop policy proposals relating to capital outlay projects to set priorities and prioritize projects. PWC will report findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to relevant interim legislative committees by November 1 of each year.  
The bill appropriates a recurring $335,000 to PWC to carry out duties and hire staff.
 
 

 The current procedure for capital outlay projects is that state and local agencies present their priorities to a panel of executive and legislative staff annually.  After funds are allocated to statewide projects by the legislature, remaining money is divided between the house and senate for allotment to members.