AN ACT Relating to the state commission on
Hispanic affairs; amending RCW 43.115.010, 43.115.030, 43.115.040, 43.131.341,
and 43.131.342; adding a new section to chapter 43.115 RCW; and repealing RCW
43.115.050.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1.
RCW 43.115.010 and 1987 c 249 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The legislature declares that the public policy
of this state is to insure equal opportunity for all of its citizens. ((The
legislature finds that Hispanics have unique and special problems. It is the
purpose of this chapter to improve the well-being of Hispanics by insuring
their participation in the fields of government, business, and education. The
legislature further finds that it is necessary to aid Hispanics in obtaining
governmental services in order to promote the health, safety and welfare of all
the residents of this state.)) The legislature believes that it is the
duty of the state to improve the well-being of Hispanics by enabling them to
participate fully in all fields of endeavor and assisting them in obtaining
governmental services. The legislature further finds that the development of
public policy and the delivery of governmental services to meet the special
needs of Hispanics can be improved by establishing a focal point in state
government for the interests of Hispanics. Therefore the legislature deems
it necessary to create a commission to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 2.
RCW 43.115.030 and 1987 c 249 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The commission shall consist of eleven
members of Hispanic origin appointed by the governor. ((The membership
shall include:
(a) Two members from workers in the
agricultural field;
(b) Three members from the general populace of
Hispanics, but not of Mexican-American origin;
(c) One member from the field of education;
(d) One member who is a professional from the
business community, government employment, or public service;
(e) One member from among elected trade union
officials; and
(f) Three members from the Mexican-American
community in the state.
(2) Members shall serve for four-year terms and
until their successors are chosen and qualified.)) To the extent practicable, appointments to the
commission shall be made to achieve a balanced representation based on the
Hispanic population distribution within the state, geographic considerations,
sex, age, and occupation. Members shall serve three-year terms. No member
shall serve more than two full consecutive terms. Vacancies shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
(((3))) (2) Members shall receive
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties
in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter
amended.
(((4))) (3) Six members of the
commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.
Sec. 3.
RCW 43.115.040 and 1987 c 249 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
The commission shall have the following
powers and duties:
(1) Elect one of its members to serve as
chairman;
(2) ((Appoint a full time director;
(3) Appoint a staff who shall be state
employees pursuant to Title 41 RCW; and
(4)))
Adopt rules and regulations pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW;
(3) Examine and define issues pertaining to
the rights and needs of Hispanics, and make recommendations to the governor and
state agencies for changes in programs and laws;
(4) Advise the governor and state agencies
on the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs that
relate to the special needs of Hispanics;
(5) Advise the legislature on issues of
concern to the Hispanic community;
(6) Establish relationships with state
agencies, local governments, and private sector organizations that promote
equal opportunity and benefits for Hispanics; and
(7) 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. 4. A
new section is added to chapter 43.115 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The commission shall be administered by an
executive director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the
governor. The governor shall base the appointment of the executive director on
recommendations of the commission. The salary of the executive director shall
be set by the governor.
(2) The executive director shall employ a
staff, who shall be state employees pursuant to Title 41 RCW. The executive
director shall prescribe the duties of the staff as may be necessary to
implement the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 5.
RCW 43.131.341 and 1987 c 249 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
The Washington state commission on Hispanic
affairs and its powers and duties shall be terminated on June 30, ((1996))
2021, as provided in RCW 43.131.342.
Sec. 6.
RCW 43.131.342 and 1987 c 249 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
The following acts or parts of acts, as now
existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed, effective June 30, ((1997))
2022:
(1) Section 1, chapter 34, Laws of 1971 ex.
sess., section 1, chapter 249, Laws of 1987, section 1, chapter
. . ., Laws of 1993 (section 1 of this act) and RCW 43.115.010;
(2) Section 2, chapter 34, Laws of 1971 ex.
sess., section 2, chapter 249, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.115.020;
(3) Section 3, chapter 34, Laws of 1971 ex.
sess., section 130, chapter 34, Laws of 1975-'76 2nd ex. sess., section 15,
chapter 338, Laws of 1981, section 3, chapter 249, Laws of 1987, section 2,
chapter . . ., Laws of 1993, (section 2 of this act) and RCW
43.115.030;
(4) Section 4, chapter 34, Laws of 1971 ex.
sess., section 4, chapter 249, Laws of 1987, section 3, chapter ..., Laws of
1993 (section 3 of this act) and RCW 43.115.040;
(5) ((Section 5, chapter 34, Laws of 1971
ex. sess., section 5, chapter 249, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.115.050;
(6)))
Section 6, chapter 34, Laws of 1971 ex. sess., section 6, chapter 249, Laws of
1987 and RCW 43.115.060; ((and
(7))) (6)
Section 7, chapter 34, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. and RCW 43.115.900; and
(7) Section 4 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.
RCW 43.115.050 and 1987 c 249 s 5 & 1971 ex.s. c 34 s 5 are each repealed.
