HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1801

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to governor's awards for excellence in teaching history.

Brief Description:  Creating the governor's award for excellence in teaching history.

Sponsors:  Representatives Johnson, Ogden, Honeyford, Kessler, Dickerson, Blalock, Conway, Wensman, D. Schmidt, Gombosky, Keiser, Wood, Carlson, Quall, Constantine and Mason; by request of Washington State Historical Society.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Education:  2/20/97, 3/3/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Johnson, Chairman; Hickel, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Keiser, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Linville; Quall; Smith; Sterk; Sump; Talcott and Veloria.

Staff:  Bronwyn Mauldin (786-7093).

Background:  Among other duties, the Washington State Historical Society conducts educational activities by offering classes, exhibits, seminars, workshops, and conferences in support of its mission to maintain materials and sites of historical interest in the state.  The society accepts and expends gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devices of real or personal property.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction annually recognizes five Washington teachers from each congressional district with the Washington Award for Excellence in Education.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Governor=s Award for Excellence in Teaching History is established to recognize individuals and organizations that are doing exemplary work in promoting a better understanding and appreciation of the state=s history.  The Washington State Historical Society must award two cash awards annually, one to a teacher and one to a private nonprofit historical organization.  The society=s board of trustees will determine who receives the awards.  The society must raise funds for the awards through solicitations from private donors.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute makes a grammatical correction.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  All cash for the awards will be raised through private solicitations by the State Historical Society=s trustees.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Derek Valley, Washington State Historical Society.