FINAL BILL REPORT

                     EHB 2141

                                 C 237 L 91

                            Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing a state oral history program.

By Representatives Prince, Jacobsen, Anderson and Winsley.

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Background:  The Division of Archives and Records Management of the Office of the Secretary of State is administered by the state archivist.  State law directs the state archivist to conduct an oral history program.  The purpose of the program is to record and document the oral history of former members and staff of the Legislature, former state governmental officials and personnel, and other citizens of interest.  The records of this oral history program must be indexed, available for reference, and properly preserved.

Summary:  The oral history program authorized by state law must be conducted by the secretary of state at the direction of an Oral History Advisory Committee.  The secretary must contract with independent oral historians and through the history departments of the state universities for conducting and recording the interviews.  Transcripts and photographs may be published for distribution to libraries and for sale to the public.

The advisory committee is composed of four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker, four members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate, the chief clerk of the House, the secretary of the Senate, and the secretary of state.  It must select appropriate interview subjects, select materials for publication, and provide certain advice to the secretary of state.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 98    0

Senate   48    0     (Senate amended)

House             (House refused to concur)

Conference Committee

Senate   43    0

House 97    0

Effective:     July 1, 1991