SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1221

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           State & Local Government, March 31, 1999

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

Brief Description:  Regarding Lewis and Clark bicentennial advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ogden, Carlson, Conway, Mielke, Lantz, Pennington, Doumit, Hatfield and Dunn.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  3/31/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn and Kline.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The years 2005-06 represent the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition reaching Washington.  The state is currently promoting the expedition through the Lewis and Clark Trail Committee, which is administered and staffed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission, and is promoting, among other events, the bicentennial of the expedition.  The Washington State Historical Society is designated to work with the committee by coordinating its planning efforts with the State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Summary of Bill:  The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Advisory Committee is created under the auspices of the Washington State Historical Society and sunsets in June of 2007.  The committee has 15 members made up of private citizens and representatives of the state.  The committee is authorized to coordinate and lead the observance of the bicentennial.

The Washington State Historical Society is designated as administrative support, including space, budget and accounting functions, and collecting monies for the committee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  We need a coordinated effort to properly celebrate this occasion and educate the people.  There are enormous implications for economic development.  We are the first state to appropriate money for the bicentennial.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Derek Valley, WA State Historical Society (pro).