HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     ESHB 1631

                              As Passed House

                             February 11, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the commission on African-American affairs.

Brief Description:  Establishing in statute the commission on African‑American affairs.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Wineberry, McLean, Franklin, Anderson, Ballard, Ebersole, Ferguson, Miller, Hine, Horn, Prince, Prentice, Holland, O'Brien, May, Wang, Fuhrman, Belcher, Bowman, Heavey, Van Luven, Phillips, Paris, Hargrove, Lisk, Spanel, Moyer, Braddock, Brumsickle, R. Fisher, D. Sommers, Appelwick, Padden, R. Meyers, Peery, Tate, Jones, Betrozoff, G. Cole, Dorn, Grant, Ludwig, Valle, Rayburn, Sheldon, Riley, H. Myers, Pruitt, Nelson, Kremen, Zellinsky, Dellwo, Sprenkle, Jacobsen, Scott, Rust, Ogden, G. Fisher, Bray, Cantwell, Inslee, Brough, R. King, Winsley, Basich, Leonard, Locke, Orr, Cooper, Brekke, Rasmussen, P. Johnson and Casada.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Appropriations, February 3, 1992, DPA;

Passed House, February 11, 1992, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 29 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Inslee, Vice Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Morton, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Belcher; Bowman; Braddock; Brekke; Carlson; Dorn; Ferguson; Fuhrman; Hine; Lisk; May; Mielke; Nealey; Peery; Pruitt; Rust; D. Sommers; H. Sommers; Sprenkle; Valle; Vance; Wang; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Beth Redfield (786-7130).

Background:  On June 20, 1989, the governor signed Executive Order 95-05 establishing the Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs.  The commission consists of nine members, who are appointed by the governor.  The first commission members and executive director were appointed in November 1989.  In addition to the executive director, there are two staff members with the commission.

The commission has adopted as its mission the development promotion of public policy to enhance the social, health, economic, political and educational welfare of African-American people in Washington.

The 1991-93 budget provides $286,000 for the commission.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs is established in statute.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The commission continues to fulfill its mission to improve the status of African-Americans and accomplished much during 1991.  As established by an executive order, the commission could be eliminated by a new governor.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  James Kelly, Executive Director, Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs; T.J. Vassar, Chairman, Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs; and Lyle Quasim.