SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5139

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 4, 1993

Brief Description:  Consolidating the state capital historical association and the state historical society.

SPONSORS: Senators Fraser, Wojahn, Prentice, Haugen, von Reichbauer, Williams, Winsley, Roach and McAuliffe; by request of Office of Financial Management, Washington State Historical Society and State Capital Historical Association

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: January 29, 1993; February 5, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Historical Society operates the State Historical Museum in Tacoma, and the State Capital Historical Association operates the State Capital Historical Museum in Olympia.  Both are nonprofit corporations, but have been recognized in statute as trustees of the state to preserve and exhibit materials that demonstrate Washington's cultural, artistic and natural history.

The governing boards of trustees of each historical society are elected by their respective memberships, and the museum directors are appointed by the respective governing boards with the consent of the Governor.  Funding for each society includes state general fund appropriations, membership fees, and federal or private grants and gifts. 

As state fiscal circumstances have worsened, the respective boards and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) have undertaken negotiations to consolidate the administrative structures of the two organizations, but to leave their missions and operations separate.  A memorandum of agreement is being drafted to deal with issues such as the structure of a consolidated board, the specific details of consolidating staff, and similar matters.

SUMMARY:

Legislative findings include that:  there is a strong community of interest between the State Historical Society and the State Capital Historical Society; the capacity to preserve our state's heritage and the unique history of the state capital will be strengthened if the programs are combined; and operational efficiencies can be achieved under a single management.  The purpose is to transfer the powers and duties of the State Capital Historical Association to the Washington State Historical Society, but the unique missions and programs of each are to be preserved.

The State Capital Historical Association is abolished, and its powers, duties, and functions are transferred to the Washington State Historical Society.  Written materials, property and appropriations are also transferred, as are the employees of the Historical Association.  Existing contractual rights and obligations are preserved.  The Director of OFM certifies the apportionment of budgeted funds as necessary.  Any collective bargaining rights are not altered until the bargaining unit is modified by the State Personnel Board.

Numerous references to the State Capital Historical Association are deleted.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1993.

TESTIMONY FOR:

The two historical societies have cooperated for a number of years; that cooperation has increased since the Centennial.  We have been discussing this proposal for some time.  It makes sense to avoid duplication of programs, to achieve economies of scale in providing services, and to build on unique initiatives that have been taken by the separate organizations.  Jointly, we are especially proud of the outreach programs each has developed.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  David Lamb, Vice President for Western Washington, WSHS; Chuck Fowler, President, SCHA; Derek Valley, Director, SCHA; David Nicandri, Director, WSHS