H-4002              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1895

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Representatives Tanner and Vekich

Read first time 1/24/86 and referred to Committee on State Government.

AN ACT Relating to the U.S.S. Olympia; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     There is appropriated from the general fund to the centennial commission for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, the sum of two hundred sixty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to purchase the U.S.S. Olympia, a cruiser currently located in Philadelphia.  The centennial commission shall seek private donations to assist in the purchase.  Moneys appropriated by this section shall be conserved to the extent of such private donations.

          Upon purchase and through the celebration of the state's centennial in 1989, the centennial commission may berth the ship at a location in Washington deemed appropriate by the commission to maximize the tourism value and public access.  Thereafter, the ship shall be berthed in Olympia and the centennial commission shall transfer ownership of the ship to a public or private nonprofit organization, as designated by the board of county commissioners of Thurston county.  The organization shall agree to preserve the ship as a historic monument and shall maximize public access to the ship.  Upon transfer of the ship, the commission and the state shall be relieved of all liability and costs relating to the ownership, maintenance, or operation of the ship.