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SB 6100

Making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Nguyen and 1 co-sponsor

One-time $21,143,000 from Washington's Budget Stabilization Account funds DNR fire suppression costs from the 2023 wildfires, reducing reserves and preserving future budget balance.

Effective date 3/19/2024.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 6100

SB 6100 — Summary (2024)

What the bill does (purpose)

SB 6100 authorizes a one-time appropriation from Washington’s Budget Stabilization Account (BSA) to pay fire suppression costs incurred by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) during the 2023 wildfire season. The act contains an emergency clause and took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.

Key provisions

  • Appropriation: $21,143,000 is appropriated from the Budget Stabilization Account for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
  • Purpose restriction: Funds are provided solely for DNR fire suppression costs incurred during the 2023 fire season.
  • Budget balancing: For purposes of RCW 43.88.055(4), this appropriation does not change the statutory requirement to balance the budget in ensuing biennia.
  • Emergency clause: The act is declared necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety and took effect immediately.

Note: an earlier introduced version listed $19,395,000; the enacted substitute sets the appropriation at $21,143,000.

Background / Context

  • On August 19, 2023, the governor declared a statewide state of emergency due to existing and threatened wildfires.
  • The Budget Stabilization Account is a constitutionally created appropriated reserve (BSA) used for specified circumstances including declared disasters; appropriations from the BSA for declared disasters are limited to that purpose.
  • Testimony indicated the 2023 fires burned approximately 165,000 acres and produced the DNR cost estimate that informed this request. The Office of Financial Management requested the appropriation.

Fiscal impact and considerations

  • Source: Budget Stabilization Account (state reserve), one-time draw of $21,143,000 for state fiscal year 2024.
  • Fiscal note: Not requested.
  • Effect on reserves: Reduces BSA balances available for future budgetary needs; statute requires balancing in future biennia unchanged.

Timeline & legislative status

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024
  • Passed Senate: February 7, 2024 (46–0)
  • Passed House: March 4, 2024 (65–32)
  • Delivered to Governor: March 8, 2024
  • Signed by Governor / Effective date: March 19, 2024 (Chapter 198, 2024 Laws)

Who is affected

  • Direct beneficiary: Department of Natural Resources (to cover its 2023 fire suppression costs).
  • Indirectly affected: State BSA (reduced by the appropriation) and future state budgets to the extent reserve levels are lower.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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