SENATE BILL REPORT

                           HCR 4429

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 21, 1994

Brief Description:  Establishing a joint select committee on Indian Affairs.

SPONSORS: Representatives King, Anderson, Fuhrman, Orr, Jacobsen, Rayburn, Lisk, Veloria, Schmidt, Heavey, Ballard, Wineberry, Sheldon, Leonard, Pruitt, Jones and J. Kohl

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Loveland, Oke, Owen and Winsley.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates: February 21, 1994

BACKGROUND:

On August 4, 1989, Governor Gardner and the 26 federally recognized Indian tribes in Washington State entered into an agreement known as the Centennial Accord.  The Centennial Accord establishes a framework for government-to-government relationships between the tribes and state agencies.  Goals of the Centennial Accord include improving communication, achieving mutual goals through cooperation, and resolving issues of mutual concern through negotiations rather than through the courts. 

On March 3, 1993, Governor Lowry issued a proclamation endorsing and pledging to continue the principles outlined in the Centennial Accord.  To date, the Centennial Accord has not included the Washington Legislature.

SUMMARY:

A Joint Select Committee on Indian Affairs is established to study the relationship between the state and the tribes, to mutually inform each other about the workings of their respective governments, to examine ways of improving the working relationship, to examine the potential role of the Legislature in overseeing the Centennial Accord, and to make policy recommendations. 

The committee will consist of ten members of the Legislature, five from the Senate and five from the House of Representatives.  The committee will report its findings to the 1996 Legislature.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This will help get the Legislature involved in Indian affairs.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Jim Metcalf, Tulalip Tribes (pro)