H-0950.2                  _______________________________________________

                                                      HOUSE BILL 1700

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Representatives Veloria, Brough, Brown, J. Kohl, Talcott, Kessler, Flemming, Romero, Heavey, Rust, G. Cole, Wineberry, Cothern, King, Rayburn, Wang, Wolfe, Riley, Karahalios, Thibaudeau, H. Myers, Anderson, Dellwo, Wood, Quall, Ludwig, Appelwick, Johanson, Campbell, R. Fisher, Holm, Basich, Roland, Jacobsen, L. Johnson, Leonard, Kremen, Locke, Dorn and Long

Read first time 02/05/93.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Creating a commission on women.

          AN ACT Relating to a commission on women; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature declares that it is the public policy of this state to insure equal opportunity for all of its citizens.  The legislature finds that, for economic, social, and historical reasons, a disproportionate number of women find themselves disadvantaged or isolated from the benefits of equal opportunity.  The legislature believes that it is the duty of this state to improve the well-being of women by enabling them to participate fully in all fields of endeavor and by assisting them in obtaining governmental services.  The legislature also believes that addressing women's issues and improving the well-being of women will have a positive impact on larger societal issues.  The legislature further finds that the development of public policy and the efficient delivery of governmental services to meet the needs of women can be improved by establishing a focal point in state government for the interests of women.  Therefore, the legislature deems it necessary to establish in statute the commission on women to further these purposes.  The commission shall address issues of domestic violence, child care, child support, sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and pay inequities in the workplace, and the specific needs of women of color.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The Washington state commission on women is created.  The commission shall be administered by a director.  The commission shall submit to the governor three candidates for the position of director.  The governor shall select one of these candidates for the position of director and set the director's salary.  The director shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.  The director shall employ the staff of the commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The commission shall consist of eleven members: 

          (1)  Four legislators, one from each of the four legislative caucuses appointed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives; 

          (2) Four minority women appointed by the governor, one each from the African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, and Native American communities;

          (3) A member of the interagency committee of state employed women, to be chosen by the committee; and

          (4) Two members from the community at large, to be appointed by the governor. 

          Members shall serve three-year terms.  Of the initial appointees, four of the governor's appointments shall serve three-year terms, the four legislative members shall serve two-year terms, and the remaining three shall serve a one-year term.  In the case of a vacancy, appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.  No member shall serve more than two full consecutive terms.  Members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  The commission shall elect its own chair.  Six members shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting business.  The commission shall meet quarterly.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  The director of the commission shall:

          (1)  Monitor state legislation and advocate for legislation affecting women;

          (2) Work with state agencies to assess programs and policies that affect women;

          (3) Coordinate with the minority commissions and the human rights commission to address issues of mutual concern; and

          (4) Work as a liaison between the public and private sector to eliminate barriers to women's economic equity.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

          (1) Actively recruit and keep on file names of qualified women to fill vacancies on various boards and commissions;

          (2) Provide a clearinghouse for information regarding both state and federal legislation;

          (3) Hold public hearings throughout the state to gather input on issues related to women;

          (4) Disseminate information on the status of women, and provide resource and referral information;

          (5) Identify and address specific needs of women of color; and

          (6) Receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources that are made for the use or benefit of the commission and expend, without appropriation, the same or any income from the gifts, grants, or endowments according to their terms.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

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