SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6487

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 of January 29, 2020

Title: An act relating to the legislative youth advisory council.

Brief Description: Transferring the legislative youth advisory council to the lieutenant governor's office.

Sponsors: Senators Liias, Saldaña and Wilson, C.; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 1/29/20.

Brief Summary of Bill

Transfers administration of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)

Background: Established in 2005, the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) examines issues of importance to youth. The LYAC consists of 22 members between the ages of 14 and 18. Interested students may apply by completing an online application to the LYAC. The LYAC recommends applicants to the lieutenant governor, who notifies candidates of the final selection. The members serve two-year terms and, if eligible, may be appointed for an additional two-year term.

Duties of the LYAC consist of:

advising the Legislature on legislation, policy, and budget matters relating to youth;
advising standing committees, commissions, and task forces on issues related to youth;
conducting periodic seminars for its members on leadership, government, and the Legislature; and
submitting annual reports to the Legislature with any recommendations for legislation.

If sufficient funds are available, LYAC may meet at least three, but not more than six, times per year.

The program is administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). If sufficient funds are available, OSPI provides administration, coordination, and facilitation assistance to the LYAC.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): Administration of the LYAC is transferred from OSPI to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The lieutenant governor must provide administration, supervision, and facilitation support to LYAC. In facilitating the program, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor may collaborate with the Association of Washington Generals.

Rather than membership consisting of exactly 22 members, LYAC membership consists of at least 22 members. LYAC must meet at least three times a year and the limitation of no more than six meetings a year is removed. Provisions making certain duties of LYAC, including the reimbursement of members, contingent on the sufficiency of funds are removed. Provisions requiring the Lieutenant Governor's Office to use existing staff and resources to perform certain duties are also removed. The duties of LYAC are subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor's Office.

LYAC is encouraged to use technology, such as remote video conferencing, to facilitate members' participation at meetings. A provision requiring the LYAC to consider conducting at least some of its meetings via the K-20 telecommunications network is removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 24, 2020.

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 on Proposed Substitute: PRO: LYAC was threatened by the recession and there were proposals to eliminate it, but OSPI took on the responsibility for it at no additional cost to keep it running. Now, the budget situation is not as dire and LYAC has some dedicated funding from a specialty license plate. Functionally, the Lieutenant Governor's Office has already taken over administration of it through an interagency agreement. The program gives youth rare access to government, teaches leadership skills, and teaches the legislative process. The bill will give the LYAC the opportunity to continue its work.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marko Liias, Prime Sponsor; Jenna Yuan, Legislative Youth Advisory Council; Dierk Meierbachtol, Chief Legal Officer, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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