HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1468

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Government Operations

Title:  An act relating to the advisory council on historic preservation.

Brief Description:  Modifying advisory council on historic preservation representation.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hymes, Reams and Chopp; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Operations:  2/10/95, 2/15/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Reams, Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; L. Thomas, Vice Chairman; Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; D. Schmidt; Sommers; Van Luven and Wolfe.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

Background:  The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation in the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development is responsible for maintaining a state register of historic places, conducting analyses regarding nominations to the state and federal registers of historic places, establishing a program of matching grants for public and private preservation projects, and promoting historic preservation efforts.  The State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is responsible for reviewing and recommending nominations to the state and national registers of historic places, and advising the Governor and the department on matters related to historic preservation. 

The nine members of the State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation include:  (1) The director of either the Washington State Historical Society or the director of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, each serving for one year on a rotating basis; (2) six members of the public with experience in history, architecture, or archaeology; (3) a representative of the Washington archaeological community; and (4) a Native American.   The directors of either State Historical Society serve without additional compensation, but other members of the council are reimbursed for travel expenses.

Summary of Bill:  The director of the Washington State Historical Society and the director of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society are removed as rotating members of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.  They are replaced with a representative of a local or state heritage organization, to be appointed by the Governor.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 7, 1995.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This is a good bill.  The heritage organizations are important groups.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Steve Wells and Mary Thompson, Community Trade and Economic Development.