H-2224              _______________________________________________

                                           SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 622

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State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Vekich, Braddock, Basich, Kremen, J. King, Nutley, Schoon, Sanders, Peery, McMullen, Hargrove, L. Smith, Niemi, Brough, Bristow, Unsoeld, Todd, Allen, Armstrong, D. Nelson, Cole, Appelwick, Smitherman, G. Nelson, P. King and May)

Read first time 3/8/85 and passed to Committee on Rules.

AN ACT Relating to the Washington centennial commission; amending RCW 27.60.900; adding a new section to chapter 27.60 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature declares that Captain Robert Gray's discovery of Grays Harbor, successful crossing of the Columbia river bar, and first entry into the great "River of the West" on May 11, 1792, were some of the greatest events in Northwest maritime history.  The legislature further declares that Captain Robert Gray's exploration of the Columbia river, Grays Harbor, and Washington's coastal regions and Captain George Vancouver's exploration and mapping of Puget Sound and Washington's coastal regions were events of momentous historical significance and must be preserved for the inspiration of future generations.  To these ends, the legislature finds that it is in the public interest to establish a "Return of the Tall Ships" program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 27.60 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The 1989 Washington centennial commission shall include in its comprehensive program events commemorating:

          (a) The first successful crossing of the Columbia river bar and exploration of the Columbia river, Grays Harbor, and Washington coast by Captain Robert Gray; and

          (b) The exploration and mapping of Puget Sound and the Washington coast by Captain George Vancouver.

          The year 1992 will mark the bicentennial of the voyages of both Captain Robert Gray and Captain George Vancouver.

          (2) The commission shall develop and implement the "Return of the Tall Ships" program.  The purpose of this program is to develop destination tourism attractions and to promote the construction of life-sized replicas of the "Lady Washington" and the "Chatham," or other vessels which carried members of the Gray and Vancouver expeditions to this region.  The commission shall consider locating the destination tourism attractions required by this section in the economically depressed areas of the state.  The commission shall report to the legislature and the governor on or before January 10, 1986, as to a plan to implement the purposes of this chapter.

        Sec. 3.  Section 6, chapter 90, Laws of 1982 and RCW 27.60.900 are each amended to read as follows:

          The 1989 Washington centennial commission as established by this chapter shall cease to exist on December 31, ((1990)) 1993.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     There is appropriated from the general fund to the Washington centennial commission for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, the sum of twenty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this act.