The Department of Commerce, like the Department of Health, received extraordinary amounts of federal relief over the past few biennia related to the pandemic. For example, Commerce is the state agency responsible for distributing pandemic rental and business assistance.

General fund–state (GFS) appropriations for Commerce in 2021–23 increased by 249.3% over 2019–21. Now, Commerce is requesting a further increase to its GFS budget of 90.5% in 2023-25. The requested GFS increase for 2023–25 totals $741.3 million. Some of the major GFS spending requests include:

• $202.0 million in 2023–25 and $202.0 million in 2025–27 to maintain 2,000 shelter beds that will be lost due to the expiration of various other programs. The funding would also continue a pilot diversion program.
• $161.5 million in 2023–25 and $213.3 million in 2025–27 to expand a Housing and Essential Needs program bridge pilot (which provides rental assistance to individuals receiving federal disability) from six counties to statewide.
• $40.0 million in 2023–25 and $40.0 million in 2025–27 to seed a proposed new clean energy fund account. The account would fund grants supporting technical assistance, community engagement, and grant writing assistance for clean energy projects.
• $61.1 million in 2023–25 and $0 in 2025–27 to continue the digital navigator program, expanded local broadband action teams, broadband access for geographically isolated areas, marketing for the affordable connectivity program, revamped speed test implementation, and digital skills development training.
• $26.4 million in 2023–25 and $26.3 million in 2025–27 for the state tourism marketing authority.
• $25.7 million in 2023–25 and $25.2 million in 2025–27 to fund the Innovator Accelerator Cluster Program and invest “in Washington’s capacity to attract highly strategic, out­of­state investment opportunities, secure new export opportunities for Washington businesses, and develop a roadmap to better align Washington’s trade supply chain.”

Note that the $741.3 million budget increase does not include any funding to cover the expected revenue shortfall from document recording surcharges. The budget request discusses the issue and estimates that the shortfall could be $32–$130 million, but it does not ask for a specific amount to be backfilled. Instead, “Once we have more information, we anticipate needing to seek additional funding in the next several months, perhaps at the time the Legislature convenes for the 2023 session.”

(Previous posts on agency budget requests are here.)