H-3909.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2907

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Schoesler, Romero, Alexander, Murray, Ogden, Mitchell and Nixon

Read first time 02/05/2002.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Encouraging fund-raising activities on behalf of the state legislative building.

    AN ACT Relating to fund-raising efforts for the state legislative building renovation project; amending RCW 42.52.800; adding a new section to chapter 27.48 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that the Washington state legislative building is an architecturally significant and irreplaceable building worthy of rehabilitation and enhancement.  Not only is it a magnificent building, but it also reflects the essence of self-government and democracy in the state of Washington. 

    The legislature further finds that the state legislative building is an important asset to the citizens of Washington state, allowing them to learn about state government, to research and track legislative activity, to meet with state officials, and to participate in government.

    The legislature further finds that a combination of public funds and private donations can involve the citizens of Washington state in the building's rehabilitation and enhancement by engaging the public in the preservation of the state legislative building and raising private funds for restoration and educational efforts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 27.48 RCW to read as follows:

    State officers and state employees, as those terms are defined in RCW 42.52.010, may engage in or encourage fund-raising activities including the solicitation of charitable gifts, grants, or donations specifically for the limited purpose of preservation and restoration of the state legislative building and related educational exhibits and programs.

    Sec. 3.  RCW 42.52.800 and 1999 c 343 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) When soliciting charitable gifts, grants, or donations solely for the limited purposes of RCW 27.48.040, members of the capitol furnishings preservation committee are exempt from the laws of this chapter.

(2) When soliciting charitable gifts, grants, or donations solely for the limited purposes of section 2 of this act or when assisting a nonprofit foundation established for the purposes of section 2 of this act, state officers and state employees are exempt from the laws of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

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