SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5888

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            State & Local Government, March 1, 1999

Title:  An act relating to historic cemeteries.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to historic cemeteries.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser and Winsley; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/22/99, 3/1/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  Historic graves are those graves that were placed outside a cemetery prior to June 7, 1990.

If an historic grave is inadvertently disturbed, the person who did so must re-inter the human remains under the supervision of the Cemetery Board.  The expenses for the re-interment are provided by the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

Summary of Bill:  The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is responsible for  supervision of the re-interment of the human remains in an inadvertently disturbed historic grave.  The office provides the expenses to re-inter to the extent that such funds are appropriated by the Legislature.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The public is confused about financial responsibility.  This bill will help clarify that.  It will help encourage the reporting of accidental disturbances of historic graves.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Jean Ameluxen, CTED; Allyson Brooks, OAHP.