SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5755

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 25, 1993

Brief Description:  Providing state flags and mementos for certain official purposes.

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder, Prince, Haugen and M. Rasmussen; by request of Secretary of State

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5755 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Katie Healy (786‑7784)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993; February 25, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Secretary of State is authorized to provide the official state flag to units of the armed forces, and may provide the flag without charge.  The Secretary of State may also sell the state flag to any citizen.

SUMMARY:

The original bill was not considered.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Secretary of State may provide the state flag without charge to units of the armed forces, in memory of a state employee killed in the performance of his or her duties for the state, in memory of a current or former elected or appointed state official upon his or her death, or to a citizen who has performed outstanding service for the benefit of the state.  The Secretary of State may sell the state flag to any citizen.

The Secretary of State may accept or request grants or gifts from citizens and other private sources to help defray the cost of appropriate hosting of visiting state, national, and international guests.  The hosting includes gift-giving and reciprocal gift-giving on behalf of the state of Washington.  A bank account is established where all funds received for this purpose are placed.  This fund is not considered public funds, is kept segregated and apart from state funds, and is not subject to appropriation or allotment by the state. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note: requested February 15, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

This measure will assist the Secretary of State in providing funds to pay for state remembrances.  Many gifts are exchanged between the states, but state funds cannot be used to purchase these gifts.  This bill will help defray the cost, and in a legal manner.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Michelle Burkheimer, Office of the Secretary of State (pro)