Sen. Marco Lias proposes Centennial fund to help preserve Washington’s Capitol ahead of 100th anniversary

Senator Marco Lias, sponsor of Senate Bill 6313, told the Capital Budget Committee he introduced the bill to help preserve and enhance the Washington State Capitol for its 100th anniversary in 2028. "I feel the same sense of magic that I felt the very first time I drove up to the Capitol," Lias said, describing the idea of enlisting public support to supplement limited public capital funding.

In a staff briefing, Ingrid Lewis told the committee SB 6313 would establish a Capital Centennial Stewardship Account to fund remodeling and repairs to state Capitol public and historic facilities, support interpretive and educational facilities, and finance activities to enhance public participation in state government. "Statewide elected officials, including members of the legislature, are authorized to solicit gifts, grants, or donations to the account," Lewis said, adding that money in the account may be spent only after appropriation.

Lewis also noted a fiscal note is on file; projected cash flows and estimated earnings are currently indeterminable. Senator Lias said the proposal is intended to let the public help pay for enhancements while keeping scarce public dollars available for higher-priority needs such as housing.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about volunteer solicitation and the mechanics of fundraising. Lias said the bill would add the centennial account to a narrow list of exceptions that permit solicitation by legislators and statewide elected officials, and that the authorization would be for a defined period (five years), allowing voluntary fundraising without creating a direct new draw on the capital budget.

There were no public testifiers on SB 6313, and the committee closed the hearing on the bill with no immediate action taken.