SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2735

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 27, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the Lewis and Clark bicentennial advisory committee.

Brief Description:  Regarding Lewis and Clark bicentennial advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ogden, Huff, Butler, Cooper, Doumit, Constantine, Carlson, Chopp and Schoesler.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/26/98, 2/27/98 [DPA] .

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Anderson, Haugen, Horn, Patterson and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background: The bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition is approaching.  The expedition spent the winter of 1805-1806 in the Pacific Northwest.  In 1996, the Washington State Historical Society was made responsible for providing assistance and leadership to the Lewis and Clark Trail Committee in planning an observance of the bicentennial.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Advisory Committee is created, composed of 15 members.  The Governor appoints nine citizen members, including at least four tribal representatives.  The remaining members are the president of the Washington State Historical Society, the director of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the secretary of the Department of Transportation, the director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, the chair of the Lewis and Clark Trail Committee, and the Secretary of State or his or her designee.

The committee is responsible for coordinating and providing guidance to the state's observance of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  The committee is authorized to engage in fund-raising activities, including revenue-generating enterprises.  A Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Account is created in the state treasury.  For administrative purposes, the committee is attached to the Washington State Historical Society.  The committee expires on June 30, 2007.

The statute requiring the Washington State Historical Society to assist the Lewis and Clark Trail Committee in planning the Lewis and Clark bicentennial observance is repealed.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The composition of the advisory committee is changed as follows:  The four legislators are removed, and three more citizens are added (four must be enrolled members of an Indian tribe), as well as the Secretary of State or his or her designee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This will help coordinate the observance activities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Barb Kubik, Lewis & Clark Trail Comm. (pro); Stu Halsan (pro).