Committee adopts substitute requiring capital committee review of major campus projects and more frequent meetings

The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee on Feb. 11 adopted proposed substitute B to Senate Bill 5522, which revises oversight of the state capitol campus and the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) reporting requirements.

Staff said the substitute directs the capital committee to review DES’s 10‑year capital plan, modifies the dates by which DES must present information and the dates by which the capital committee must make recommendations, adjusts the definition of “capital campus,” requires the capital committee to meet four times a year, defines “major capital projects” and specifies that only major capital projects are subject to capital-committee review and approval. The substitute also removes a requirement that the capital committee review and approve artwork in public spaces on the campus.

Madam Vice Chair moved the adoption of proposed substitute B; the committee adopted the substitute and later voted to send substitute B with a "due pass" recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Members on the floor thanked the Governor’s Office and the Lieutenant Governor for working on the changes; a sponsor thanked capital budget writers who will monitor the bill as it moves through Ways and Means.

Committee discussion noted the substitute addresses concerns raised by the Governor’s Office and clarifies which campus buildings the bill covers. No roll-call tally was announced in the hearing record and a fiscal note was available, the staff report said. Members expressed general support, with multiple members commending the sponsor and stakeholder cooperation.

The committee’s adoption advances the substitute to the Ways and Means Committee for budget review.