SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2776

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 26, 2014

Title: An act relating to renaming the Washington civil liberties public education program.

Brief Description: Renaming the Washington civil liberties public education program.

Sponsors: Representatives Santos, Pettigrew, DeBolt, Cody, Morris, Haigh, Chandler, Kagi, S. Hunt, Orcutt, Dunshee, Kirby, Chopp, Jinkins, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Ormsby and Hudgins.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/18/14, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/26/14 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Litzow, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; McAuliffe, Ranking Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Member; Billig, Brown, Cleveland, Fain, Hill, Mullet and Rivers.

Staff: Katherine Taylor (786-7434)

Background: Legislation enacted in 2000 established the Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program (Program). The purpose of the Program is to provide grants from funds appropriated for this purpose or from private donations to educate the public on the history and lessons of the internment of persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II. The grants could be used to develop and distribute educational materials, videos, plays, speakers, bureaus, and exhibitions for schools, colleges, and other interested parties. Applicants include nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, public schools, cultural institutions, and individuals.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) administers the Program and selects grant recipients based on specified criteria and project components. State funding for the Program was discontinued in the 2009-11 biennium, but OSPI maintains a website with information and educational materials developed under the Program and available for continued use.

Former state Representative Kip Tokuda was born in 1946, shortly after his family was released from the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho. He was a civic and political leader among the Asian American community and represented the 37th legislative district in Seattle from 1994 to 2002. Representative Tokuda died on July 13, 2013.

Summary of Bill: The Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program is named the Kip Tokuda Memorial Program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: I am very honored and humbled to be here. This bill honors my father. My father cared a lot about civil liberties.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Pei Ming Tokuda, daughter of former Representative Kip Tokuda.