SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2366

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 21, 2002

Title:  An act relating to funding and expenditures of the secretary of state.

Brief Description:  Funding and authorizing expenditures of the secretary of state.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Ogden, Woods, Romero, Skinner and Chase; by request of Secretary of State).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Keiser, Kline and Swecker.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Background:  Among the many programs under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State are the Division of Archives and Records Management and the Oral History Program.  The State Archivist is responsible for the preservation and destruction of public records.  The purpose of the Oral History Program is to record and document oral histories of current and former members and staff of the Washington Legislature, current and former state government officials and personnel, and other citizens that have had an active role in Washington's political history.

In 1996 a law was passed authorizing the Secretary of State to accept gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, etc., to expend any proceeds realized from these gifts, except as limited by the donor's terms, and to adopt rules to govern and protect the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds.

A variety of statutory provisions relating to ethics in public service were enacted in the 1994 ethics in public service act, including restrictions on mailings by legislators, and limitations on gifts for state officials and employees.  The Legislative Ethics Board and the Executive Ethics Board enforce these provisions.

Summary of Bill:  The Secretary of State may solicit gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises, of real or personal property, in trust or otherwise.  Solicitation and receipt of gifts are limited solely for the purposes of:  1) conducting oral histories; 2) archival activities; and 3) international trade hosting and missions.

A new oral history, archives, and international trade account is created into which all donations for oral history, archival, and international trade activities are to be deposited.

The ethics in public service act is amended to state that the act does not prohibit the Secretary of State or designees from soliciting and accepting contributions to the oral history, archives, and international trade account.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill helps the State Archives preserve the heritage of Washington.  It clarifies what is appropriate for the Office of Secretary of State and clarifies the secretary's authority to act when indicated.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jerry Handfield, State Archivist, Secretary of State (pro).