H-1159.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1988
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Braddock, Sprenkle, Anderson, Prentice, Belcher, Dellwo and Leonard.
Read first time February 18, 1991. Referred to Committee on State Government.
AN ACT Relating to Indian delegates in the Washington state legislature; adding new sections to chapter 44.04 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that members of the Indian tribes of our state, the first citizens to live in what is now the state of Washington, have a unique government-to-government relationship with our state and would bring an important historical and cultural perspective to the deliberations of the legislative branch of our government. It is the purpose of this act to provide for direct participation in the legislative process by delegates representing Indian tribes of the state of Washington.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The members of the federally recognized Indian tribes in the state of Washington may select two persons to serve as delegates representing the tribes in the house of representatives of the state of Washington and two persons to serve as delegates representing the tribes in the senate of the state of Washington. These four persons shall serve as nonvoting members of the house to which they are selected, but otherwise shall have the same privileges as other members of the legislature to fully participate in the legislative process.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Delegates selected to represent the Indian tribes under section 2 of this act shall serve two-year terms, which terms shall commence as provided in RCW 44.04.021: PROVIDED, That the members first selected under section 2 of this act shall serve one-year terms commencing on the second Monday in January 1992. Per diem and expense allowances for delegates selected to represent Indian tribes shall be the same as provided for other members of the legislature.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 44.04 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.