HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6667

                      As Passed House:

                        March 3, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the Washington gift of life medal.

Brief Description:  Establishing the Washington gift of life medal.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators B. Sheldon, Winsley, Snyder, T. Sheldon, Fairley, McAuliffe, Brown, Kohl, Rasmussen, Prentice, Patterson, Haugen, Loveland, Hargrove, Kline, Franklin, Wojahn, Jacobsen and Bauer).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/25/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/3/98, 87-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  Medical technology now enables parts of human bodies to be transplanted.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington Gift of Life Medal is established to be awarded by the Office of the Governor at the request of an organ donor's family or an accredited or federally certified organ procurement organization.  Each medal is bronze, suspended from a ring attached by a dark green ribbon, includes the seal of the state surrounded by a raised laurel wreath with the following inscribed words: "For the greatest act of kindness in donating organs to enhance the lives of others."

An organ procurement organization must determine that the person for whom a medal is sought has made the donation and submits documentation to the Office of the Governor.  If more than one organ procurement organization is involved, the organizations shall coordinate in harmony to designate by consensus the organization with primary administrative responsibility.

Only one medal is awarded for an eligible person, but duplicate medals may be purchased by the family or person eligible to receive the medal at a price sufficient to cover the cost.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is recognition for heroes.  Currently donors do not receive recognition.  This will inspire others.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Betty Sheldon, prime sponsor; Patti Tilque, Lions Eye Bank and Sight Foundation; and Henry Sykes, self.