SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1801

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Higher Education, March 31, 1997

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:  House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by 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:  Higher Education:  3/24/97, 3/31/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Wood, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Bauer, Hale, Kohl, Patterson, Prince and Sheldon.

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

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 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 determines who receives the awards.  The society must raise funds for the awards through solicitations from private donors.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.