SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5865

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:

State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 21, 2019

Title: An act relating to declaring October as Filipino American history month.

Brief Description: Declaring October as Filipino American history month.

Sponsors: Senators Hasegawa, Nguyen, Conway, Dhingra, Schoesler, Billig, Honeyford, King, Randall, Saldaña and Wilson, C..

Brief History:

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/20/19, 2/21/19 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Declares October of each year as Filipino American History Month.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hunt, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Bailey, Hasegawa, Hawkins and Takko.

Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)

Background: The Filipino American National History Society proposed the first Filipino American History Month to be celebrated in October 1992. The society chose October because the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the continental United States was on October 18, 1587.

Since 2010, one or both houses of the Legislature passed annual resolutions to celebrate the anniversary of Filipino presence in the United States or to particularly recognize Filipino veterans.

Summary of Bill: The state declares October of each year as Filipino American History Month.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is currently being done annually through a floor resolution, this bill would institutionalize it.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Bob Hasegawa, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.