FINAL BILL REPORT

E2SSB 5356

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.

C 395 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Establishing the Washington state LGBTQ commission.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Wilson, C., Randall, Das, Saldaña, Darneille, Pedersen, Liias, Nguyen, Cleveland, Dhingra and Hunt).

Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations

House Committee on Appropriations

Background: State law establishes a variety of commissions under the office of the Governor, including:

Summary: Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the LGBTQ Commission (Commission) is established in the Office of the Governor. LGBTQ includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. The Governor will appoint an executive director to administer the Commission. The director must:

Membership. The Commission consists of 15 voting members who are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Governor and four non-voting legislative members. The Governor must consider nominations for membership based on maintaining a balanced and diverse distribution of race and ethnic, geographic, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, and occupational representation, where practicable. Legislative members must support the legislative intent of the Commission and represent the two major political parties of the House of Representatives and Senate.

The initial Governor-appointed members serve for staggered terms. Subsequently, Governor-appointed members serve for a three-year term unless reappointed by the Governor. Legislative members will serve a two-year term. Members are reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with statutory provisions for subsistence, lodging, per diem, and mileage allowance. A simple majority of members constitutes a quorum.

Duties. The Commission must:

The Commission must also submit a biennial report to the Legislature and the Governor detailing the Commission's activities. The report must, at minimum:

State agencies must provide appropriate and reasonable assistance to the Commission as needed, including gathering data and information to assist the Commission in carrying out its purpose.

Powers. The Commission may:

Other. June of each year is designated as LGBTQ month with the fourth week in June designated as a time to celebrate the contributions LGBTQ people have made to the state. Educational institutions, public entities, and private organizations are encouraged to designate time for appropriate activities in commemoration of the lives, history, achievements, and contributions of LGBTQ people.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

34

14

House

67

28

(House amended)

Senate

30

16

(Senate concurred)

Effective:

July 28, 2019