SB 6313
In CommitteeSenate
Capitol centennial account
Creating the capitol centennial stewardship account and authorizing members of the legislature and statewide elected officials to solicit gifts, grants, and donations to the account.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill establishes a dedicated fund—the capitol centennial stewardship account—to support preservation, education, and public access improvements for the Washington State Capitol building ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2028. It allows lawmakers and statewide officials to accept private and public donations for this purpose, with special legal protections to bypass typical gift rules, and sets a 2033 expiration date for the authority.
- Creates the capitol centennial stewardship account in the custody of the state treasurer to hold gifts, grants, and donations for Capitol-related projects.
- Authorizes members of the legislature and statewide elected officials to solicit private and public donations for the account, with a legal exemption from standard gift solicitation prohibitions during the bill’s active period.
- Limits expenditures from the account to: (a) remodeling and repairs of the Capitol’s public and historic facilities, (b) interpretive and educational activities, and (c) improvements to enhance public participation in state government.
- Amends gift rules to exempt donations to the capitol centennial stewardship account from standard gift limits and prohibitions, until June 30, 2033.
- Includes a sunset clause — the core provisions (Sections 1–3) expire on June 30, 2033, with remaining funds transferred to the capitol furnishings preservation committee account.
Who is affected
- Members of the Washington State Legislature and statewide elected officials — Can receive and use private or public donations specifically for Capitol-related projects, under relaxed gift rules for this purpose until 2033.
- General public of Washington State — May benefit from improved access, educational programming, and preserved historic features of the Capitol building as funds are used for public enhancements.
- State agencies and offices involved in Capitol operations (e.g., Capitol Preservation Board, State Treasurer) — Can accept and use donations for the Capitol centennial stewardship account without violating standard gift rules during the bill’s active period.
- Campaign finance officers and ethics compliance staff — May be restricted in soliciting campaign contributions during legislative sessions, but the bill carves out an exception for the Capitol centennial account.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
The bill authorizes spending on interpretive and educational activities and public participation enhancements — such as guided tours, K–12 curriculum support, civic engagement programs, and accessibility upgrades — which will directly benefit students, teachers, and everyday Washingtonians seeking to learn about state government and engage with democracy in a tangible way.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b) & (c); Sec. 1 (findings)The bill allows funds to be used for remodeling and repairs of the Capitol’s public and historic facilities — a critical public safety function, as the building houses elected officials and daily public access; modernizing fire safety, structural integrity, and accessibility (e.g., ADA compliance) will protect all visitors and staff, especially during high-traffic centennial events.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(a); Sec. 1 (findings)By preserving the physical and symbolic integrity of Washington’s “People’s House” ahead of its 100th anniversary, the bill supports long-term civic infrastructure — ensuring the Capitol remains a secure, functional, and welcoming space for public discourse, protests, tours, and democratic participation for decades to come.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (findings); Sec. 2(1) (account purpose); Sec. 6 (residual transfer)The bill enables flexible, non-appropriation-dependent funding for Capitol improvements by allowing solicitation of private and public donations — potentially accelerating projects that would otherwise be delayed due to budget constraints, without drawing on general fund resources.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2); Sec. 4 (exemption during legislative sessions)
Potential Concerns (3)
The bill creates a special legal exemption allowing legislators and statewide officials to solicit private donations for the Capitol account outside standard gift rules — potentially blurring ethical boundaries between legitimate fundraising for public infrastructure and influence-peddling, especially during legislative sessions when campaign finance restrictions otherwise apply. This carve-out could undermine public trust in government integrity if donations are perceived as tied to access or policy favors, even if no quid pro quo occurs.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 3; Sec. 4 (exemption clause); Sec. 42.52.150(4)(m)The bill imposes strict expenditure limits (only remodeling/repairs, interpretive/educational activities, and public participation enhancements), but does not require independent oversight or performance metrics for how funds are used — increasing the risk of misallocation or mission creep, especially after the 2033 sunset when remaining funds transfer to a committee with no defined accountability framework.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2(1) (expenditure limitations); Sec. 6 (residual transfer to Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee Account)While the bill does not directly affect private-sector employment, it may create competitive distortions if wealthy donors or well-connected organizations gain preferential access to lawmakers during the legislative session — a time when normal campaign finance restrictions aim to prevent undue influence — potentially skewing policy priorities toward donors who contribute to the Capitol fund.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 4 (legislative session gift ban exception); Sec. 2 (solicitation authority)
Who Is Most Affected
Beneficiaries include students, teachers, tourists, and civic groups who will gain improved access to educational programming and accessible facilities at the Capitol. The bill’s focus on interpretive and participatory activities directly serves public education and engagement goals.
State agencies like the Capitol Preservation Board and State Treasurer gain new authority to accept and manage private donations for Capitol projects, streamlining funding for preservation work. However, they also inherit added administrative responsibilities and potential scrutiny over gift solicitation practices.
Legislators and statewide officials gain expanded authority to solicit donations during legislative sessions — a period otherwise restricted for campaign fundraising — which could improve Capitol infrastructure but also raises ethical concerns about blurred lines between public service and private solicitation.
Ethics compliance staff and campaign finance officers face a new exception to standard gift rules during legislative sessions, requiring additional training and monitoring to ensure no violations occur — increasing administrative burden without added resources.