Capitol Campus event fees change starting Tuesday

Some fees the state charges for events on the Capitol Campus will change starting Tuesday (Dec. 1).

The Department of Enterprise Services, which manages the Capitol Campus, charges fees to process permit applications for some campus events and to provide support services, such as setting up event equipment and removing trash. The fees help cover costs and vary depending on the activity and level of service.

According to an Enterprise Services news release, some of the upcoming campus fee and use changes include:

▪ Charging public agencies that are not part of state government an $85 daily use fee for campus reservations. These non-state public agencies include federal, city, county and tribal governments, as well as port and school districts. Currently, these agencies do not pay a daily use fee. State agencies already pay these costs through a separate process.

▪ Charging applicants $65 a week for placing a banner about a commercial activity on the pedestrian bridge over Capitol Way. Previously, Enterprise Services charged a $75 application processing fee that allowed banners to be placed on the bridge for two weeks.

▪ Groups seeking to hold a commercial public event or where private registration is required, such as a festival or run, will be required to book a minimum of two hours of time. Enterprise Services will no longer charge an application processing fee for these activities.

▪ Private events, such as weddings, will now have to be scheduled in four-hour blocks of time to allow for improved scheduling and coordination of activities and services. In the past, an hourly rate of $50 was charged, which did not allow for predictable scheduling for support staff.

In addition to the rate changes, Enterprise Services now will offer a broader selection of event equipment, including sound systems, amplifiers and podiums.

Also, the Palouse Room — room 112 in the Legislative Building — is now available for event use from 2-5 p.m. only.

Any activity scheduled before Tuesday (Dec. 1) will be subject to the old rate schedule. Activities scheduled on or after Tuesday will be subject to the new rate schedule.

Those seeking to plan events and activities for the Capitol Campus can use Enterprise Services online permit application on their website. The permit enables the requester to reserve space and amenities no more than a year in advance.

The department issues campus use permits for private events, such as weddings; commercial activities where goods or services are sold; government activities, such as staff meetings; hanging banners from the pedestrian bridge above Capitol Way.

A permit is not required for free speech activities involving 25 or fewer people inside the Legislative Building or those involving 75 or fewer people on the campus grounds. Enterprise Services does not charge to process permit applications for such activities.

This story was originally published November 29, 2015 at 6:23 AM with the headline "Capitol Campus event fees change starting Tuesday."