SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1923

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, MARCH 30, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions relating to the advisory council on historic preservation.

SPONSORS: Representatives Veloria, Wood, Jacobsen, Ogden and J. Kohl

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Oke, Owen, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: March 26, 1993; March 30, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation was established in 1983 to review and recommend nominations for the state and national registers of historic places, and to advise the Governor and the Department of Community Development (DCD) on historic preservation matters.  The council also makes recommendations on grant awards to local governments with certified historic preservation programs.  The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation in DCD staffs the advisory council.

To receive federal funding under the National Historic Preservation Act, state historic preservation programs must have a qualified state historic preservation review board.

Members of the State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation include:  the director of the State Historical Society; six members of the public with experience in history, architecture, and archaeology; a Native American; and the director of the Washington Archaeological Research Center.  However, the Washington Archaeological Research Center no longer exists. 

The State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 1993.

SUMMARY:

The termination provision for the State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is repealed.  The director of the Washington Archaeological Research Center is replaced as a council member by a representative of the Washington archaeological community.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The state has developed an admirable record for historic preservation.  The council should be continued as a permanent entity, because the federal government requires each state to establish a body like this in order to be eligible for federal funds.  The council, in DCD, receives approximately $1 million per biennium from the National Park Service for projects on the National Register.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Veloria, prime sponsor; Mary M. Thompson, State Historic Preservation Officer (DCD) (pro)