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House approves substitute establishing Olympics coordinator role, debates local funding and auditor oversight
Summary
The House passed a substitute to Senate Bill 121 creating an Olympics coordinator position (initial duties to be performed by the state auditor until 07/01/1997), and debated amendments about whether county service areas should be excluded or included for funding/oversight and how costs would be allocated between state and organizing committee.
Representative (Speaker 5), the sponsor on the floor, explained the substitute to Senate Bill 121 would create a coordinator to oversee day-to-day interactions between the state and the Olympic organizing committee. The coordinator's responsibilities include accounting for organizing-committee activities, reporting to the state, and coordinating services and contracts; the auditor is assigned those duties until the governor appoints a coordinator expected to assume office on 07/01/1997.
Representative (Speaker 10) moved pink-sheet amendments arguing that cities and counties would be required to contribute sales-tax revenue to support the auditor/coordinator but would lack input on contracts and operations, calling that arrangement unfair. Representative Prossman (Speaker 9) introduced amendments to require the organizing committee to work through the coordinator and to have the state assign value and costs to services the committee requests (security, parking, advertising) so the state can decide whether to donate some or all of that value.
A separate amendment (Representative Allen, Speaker 6) proposed to include county service areas that will provide Olympic venues and incur costs, so those areas could recoup expenses and be treated comparably with regional service areas. Debate focused on the statutory definition of "public sports entity," whether county service areas should be excluded, and how funding flows would be affected.
Multiple floor votes were held on the pink-sheet amendments; the transcript records several division and roll-call procedures and final tallies. The clerk announced the amended substitute to Senate Bill 121 passed the House (65 yes, 3 no) and the bill will be returned to the Senate.
Supporters urged that clear upfront agreements about services and reimbursements avoid assumptions that could leave local governments bearing unexpected costs; supporters argued a coordinator and clarified contract processes would protect the state's and localities' interests. Opponents warned cities and counties might pay into a fund without adequate oversight.
The House then recessed for the afternoon calendar.
