SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5275

              As Passed Senate, February 19, 1999

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

Brief Description:  Regarding Lewis and Clark bicentennial advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Senators Bauer, Snyder, Zarelli, Eide, Sellar, Deccio, Haugen, Franklin, Hargrove, Patterson, Heavey, Rasmussen, Shin, Kohl‑Welles, Fairley, Fraser, Prentice, Goings, T. Sheldon, Costa, Wojahn, Spanel, Jacobsen, Roach and Hale.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/25/99, 1/28/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/19/99, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition will soon be celebrated.  The expedition spent the winter of 1805-1806 in the Pacific Northwest.  In 1996, the Washington State Historical Society became responsible for providing assistance and leadership to the Lewis and Clark Trail Committee in planning an observance of the bicentennial.

Summary of Bill:  The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee is created under the auspices of the Washington State Historical Society.  The committee consists of 15 members.  The Governor appoints six citizen members, including at least three Washington Indian tribal members.  The other 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 four members of the Washington State Legislature, one from each caucus of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Bicentennial 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 fundraising activities, including revenue-generating enterprises.  The Lewis and Clark bicentennial account is created in the state treasury.  Administratively, 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The expedition was a turning point in our nation=s history.  The proposed advisory committee will assure that the many events that will be celebrated will be coordinated and historically accurate.  It is important to have a legislative presence on the advisory committee.  It lends stature to the committee.  The advisory committee will play an important role in making sure that all areas of the state will be able to share in the history and heritage of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Martin Plamondon II, Washington Governor=s Lewis & Clark Trail; Dave Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society.