HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2759

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 Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to establishing the Washington state women's commission.

Brief Description: Establishing the Washington state women's commission.

Sponsors: Representatives Doglio, Jinkins, Senn, Pettigrew, Dolan, Hudgins, Stanford, Chapman, Kagi, Appleton, Gregerson, Tarleton, Santos, Kilduff, Pollet, Macri, Frame and Bergquist.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government, Elections & Information Technology: 1/30/18, 1/31/18 [DP];

Appropriations: 2/3/18, 2/6/18 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/13/18, 65-33.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 3/1/18, 44-5.

House Concurred.

Passed House: 3/5/18, 50-47.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

  • Creates the Washington State Women's Commission (Women's Commission) in the Office of the Governor.

  • Establishes membership terms, and the duties and powers of the Women's Commission's director and members.

  • Requires the Women's Commission to work with the Women's History Consortium to prepare for a 2020 statewide commemoration of women's suffrage, subject to appropriation.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Dolan, Vice Chair; Appleton, Gregerson, Johnson and Pellicciotti.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives McDonald, Ranking Minority Member; Kraft, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Irwin.

Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Stokesbary, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Cody, Fitzgibbon, Graves, Haler, Hansen, Hudgins, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, Pettigrew, Pollet, Sawyer, Senn, Stanford, Sullivan, Tharinger and Wilcox.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Caldier, Condotta, Manweller, Schmick, Taylor, Vick and Volz.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Harris.

Staff: Catrina Lucero (786-7192)

Background:

In 1971 the Washington State Women's Council (Women's Council) was created by executive order. The Women's Council was comprised of approximately 15 members appointed by the Governor. The Women's Council was directed to consider appropriate questions pertaining to the rights and needs of women in contemporary America and to make recommendations to the Governor and any state agencies regarding changes in program and law. In 1978 the Women's Council was discontinued through executive order after Referendum 40, which asked whether to establish a state Women's Commission, was defeated.

In 1963 the Interagency Committee for State Employed Women (ICSEW) was established by the Governor. The Governor most recently affirmed the ICSEW by executive order in 2016. The ICSEW examines and defines issues pertaining to the rights and needs of women employed in state government and makes policy recommendations to the Governor and state agencies with respect to desirable changes in programs, policies, and laws. The areas of focus include education, training, career development, and other conditions of employment. The ICSEW also advises state agencies on the development and implementation of comprehensive and coordinated policies, plans, and programs focusing on the issues and needs of women in state government. The membership consists of state department and agency representatives with a maximum number of 60 members, with the leadership of each agency appointing the members. The Office of the Governor designates one of the executive policy advisors as its committee liaison and staff person.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

The Washington State Women's Commission (Women's Commission) is established in the Office of the Governor. The Governor will appoint an executive director (Director) to administer the Women's Commission. The Director will employ staff for the Women's Commission, and the Women's Commission will provide staff support to the ICSEW.

Membership.

The Women's Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate. There are an additional four advisory members as follows:

The Governor must consider nominations for membership based on maintaining a balanced and diverse distribution of ethnic, geographic, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, and occupational representation.

The initial members serve for staggered terms: three serve for one year; three serve for two years; and three serve for three years. Subsequently, members serve for a three-year term unless reappointed by the Governor. Advisory members serve for a two-year term.

Nonlegislative members are reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties for subsistence, lodging, per diem, and mileage allowance. Similarly, legislative members may receive an allowance to reimburse certain expenses.

Duties–Director.

The Director must:

DutiesWomen's Commission.

The Women's Commission must:

Until July 1, 2020, the Women's Commission must work with the Washington Women's History Consortium to prepare for a 2020 statewide commemoration of women's suffrage, subject to appropriation. The Women's Commission may engage in certain activities to carry out this purpose such as appointing task forces or advisory committees, and entering in to contracts.

State agencies must provide appropriate and reasonable assistance to the Women's Commission as needed, such as gathering data, to assist the Women's Commission in carrying out its purpose.

Powers–Women's Commission.

The Women's Commission may:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (State Government, Elections & Information Technology):

(In support) Since 1966 the National Organization for Women has been dedicated to leading societal and policy change, promoting critical dialogue, eliminating discrimination, and advancing the social, political, and economic rights of all women and girls. These policies and practices allow women to actively determine the conditions of their lives, their choices, and their future. The core policy areas that the Women's Commission would focus on under the bill are important, specifically those that keep women safe from violence, ensure economic access for women, and ensure the equal rights and opportunities for all by valuing diversity and seeking to identify and eliminate unfair practices that marginalize and disenfranchise individuals. There is particular interest in having the Women's Commission review best practices in sexual harassment policies and training and make recommendations to agencies based on the best practices.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Appropriations):

(In support) The core policy areas that the Women's Commission would focus on are important, particularly those that keep women safe from violence, pursue economic equity, and ensure equal rights.  The Women's Commission will provide a useful function in reviewing sexual harassment policies and trainings and making recommendations to state agencies.  The costs identified in the fiscal note are consistent with the costs to establish other similar commissions. 

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (State Government, Elections & Information Technology): Jessie Turner, National Organization for Women of Washington State.

Persons Testifying (Appropriations): Jessie Turner, National Organization for Women – Washington State Chapter.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (State Government, Elections & Information Technology): None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Appropriations): None.