In response to recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC), ongoing funding and FTE staff are provided to evaluate programs, actions, investments and organizations related to Puget Sound recovery. This funding will increase accountability and effectiveness across the network of recovery partners.

One-time funding and FTE staff are provided to coordinate updates to the outdated Puget Sound Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan, provide support for adaptive management of local watershed chapters and advance regional work on salmon and ecosystem recovery through local integrating organizations. This work will identify the most effective actions for Chinook recovery based on the latest science and serve as a guide to future recovery investments.

A recent Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) study recommended correction of deficiencies in the agency's monitoring program, including expanding the scope of implementation progress measurement, increasing the use of effectiveness monitoring and setting remaining targets for vital sign indicators of Puget Sound health. Ongoing funding and FTE staff are provided for evaluating ongoing monitoring and assessment of recovery actions, as well as solicitations and awards designed to fill monitoring gaps necessary to evaluate progress toward recovery goals. These monitoring improvements will inform and support more effective, efficient and accountable actions and investments to recover the Puget Sound.

Ongoing funding and FTE staff are provided for a competitive, peer-reviewed process for soliciting, prioritizing and funding research projects designed to advance scientific understanding of Puget Sound recovery. Solicitations and project selection for effectiveness monitoring will be organized and overseen by the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program. Initial projects will focus on implementation and effectiveness of Chinook recovery efforts, effectiveness of actions to restore shellfish beds, and implementation of priority studies of the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project.

One-time funding and FTE staff are provided for support to the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) Task Force vessel workgroup responsible for researching and recommending actions necessary to reduce the deleterious effects of vessel noise and disturbance on SRKWs.

Ongoing funding is provided for increased lease costs associated with relocating the Olympia office.

Health insurance funding is provided for state employees who are not represented by a union, who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination, or who are not part of the coalition of unions for health benefits. The insurance funding rate is $977 per employee per month for fiscal year 2020 and $978 per employee per month for fiscal year 2021.

Funding is provided for wage increases for state employees who are not represented by a union or who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination. It is sufficient for a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2019, and a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2020. This item includes both general government and higher education workers.

This funds transit passes (ORCA cards) for state employees (outside of higher education) in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, other than those in certain collective bargaining agreements.

For eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members, this item provides a one-time, ongoing increase of 3 percent, up to a maximum of $62.50 per month.

This moves funding for employee transit passes from agencies to WSDOT, which administers the program. The transfer includes both funding added in 2019-21 for expanded access, as well as funding that was provided in the 2017-19 budget.

Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s estimated portion of increased fee for service charges from the Department of Enterprise Services to expand electric vehicle infrastructure for the state Motor Pool fleet.

Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges for state government audits.

Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s anticipated share of legal service charges.

Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges from the Consolidated Technology Services Agency (WaTech) for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Cyber Security, state network, security gateways, and geospatial imaging services.

Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges from the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for campus rent, utilities, parking, and contracts; a capital project surcharge; financing cost recovery; public and historic facilities; real estate services; risk management services; personnel service rates; the Perry Street child care center; and the department’s enterprise applications.

Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) for the One Washington project and OFM enterprise systems.