H-1652.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2115

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Kenney, Ogden, Carlson, Rockefeller and Santos

Read first time 02/16/1999.  Referred to Committee on Appropriations.

Funding the Washington commission for the humanities' educational, literacy, and cultural programs.

    AN ACT Relating to the Washington commission for the humanities; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that the Washington commission for the humanities' educational, cultural, and literacy projects and programs are highly popular and proven effective in communities throughout the state because of their creative approaches, assertive outreach, and excellent cooperation with local organizations.

    The legislature further finds that there are unmet needs for the following commission programs:

    (1) The inquiring mind public discussion series;

    (2) The clemente course, a college level humanities course for adults living in poverty;

    (3) The motheread/fatheread family literacy program which works through schools, headstart/ECEAP, and local literacy programs; and

    (4) The traveling exhibit program.

    The legislature further finds that the public purposes of the Washington commission for the humanities' programs are underscored by the fact that the governor appoints five of its trustees; that it receives funding from the national endowment for the humanities; and that in thirty-seven states, its counterpart agency receives state funding.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  It is the legislature's intent that the state partnership with the Washington commission for the humanities be strengthened in order to better meet state-wide demand for these vital educational, literacy, and cultural programs by providing a state match.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the secretary of state for the purposes of this act.

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