SB 347

This bill creates an entity called the Capitol Council, which is given

responsibility for the management, operation, maintenance, and repair of the state

capitol and the capitol park. The council consists of the governor or his or her

designee, the chief justice of the supreme court, the speaker of the assembly, the

president of the senate, and one other member who is not a state officer or employee.

The chief justice serves as chairperson. Currently, the Department of

Administration (DOA) has responsibility for the management, operation,

maintenance and repair of the capitol and capitol park. The bill transfers all assets,

liabilities, positions, employees, tangible personal property, contracts, rules, orders,

and pending matters of DOA that are primarily related to DOA's managerial

responsibility for the capitol to the council. The bill also grants rule-making

authority to the council to carry out its responsibilities with regard to management,

operation, maintenance, repair, and security of the capitol and prescribes penalties

for violations of the rules.

Currently, any proposed renovation or installation of fixtures, decorative items,

or furnishings on the grounds of the capitol or executive residence is subject to the

review and approval of the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board. Currently,

the secretary of administration or his or her designee and an architect employed by

DOA who is appointed by the secretary serve as members of the board. This bill

substitutes the chairperson of the Capitol Council or the chairperson's designee and

the architect of the capitol as members of the board.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to

result if the bill is enacted.