S-857                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 3461

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senators Moore, Garrett, Bauer, DeJarnatt, Hansen, Halsan and Granlund; by Lieutenant Governor request

Read first time 1/30/85 and referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.

AN ACT Relating to the Captain George Vancouver bicentennial commission; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The 1909 world fair and exposition known as the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition held in Seattle and the 1962 world fair redounded in large measure to the benefit to the state of Washington by attracting thousands of visitors and promoting the state and its large variety of products and industries and its great trade potential.  These expositions brought Washington historical and social significance world-wide.  There is wide interest in the state in the holding of another such exposition to dramatize the recent great developments and accomplishments in this state as well as its future opportunities.

          The two hundred year anniversary, in 1992, of Captain George Vancouver's arrival in the Straits of Juan de Fuca in 1792, provides a perfect opportunity to hold another such exposition.  A celebration and world trade fair entitled "Discovery '92" would serve to strengthen economic and cultural ties with British Columbia, Great Britain, and the nations of the Pacific Rim, such as China and Australia that were most directly affected by Captain Vancouver's voyage.  The feasibility and desirability of such an event and the proper participation of the state of Washington in such a fair should be thoroughly studied before the 1986 regular session of the legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     There is created the Captain George Vancouver bicentennial commission to consist of seven members to be selected as follows:  Three by the governor, of whom one shall be designated by the governor as chairman of the commission, two by the president of the senate, and two by the speaker of the house of representatives, to serve until April 30, 1987.  The commission shall serve without compensation and shall meet at such time as it is called by the governor or by the chairman of the commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The commission shall make complete studies and investigations concerning the feasibility and desirability of such an event and shall cooperate with other civic groups studying this matter.  The commission shall file a report of its conclusions and its recommendations as to the recommended participation of the state of Washington in assisting such a celebration and as to legislation necessary therefor.  Copies of the report shall be submitted to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives by November 1, 1985.  The commission may employ such staff and personnel as is necessary to carry out its duties.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The sum of forty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, from the general fund to the Captain George Vancouver bicentennial commission for the purposes of this act.