Title: An act relating to creating the association of Washington generals.

Brief Description: Creating the association of Washington generals.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on International Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Pflug, Eide, Shin and Rasmussen; by request of Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State).

Brief History:

Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade: 3/25/05 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Pettigrew, Vice Chair; Kristiansen, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Buri, Chase, Clibborn, Condotta, Dunn, Grant, Haler, Holmquist, Kenney, Kretz, McCoy, Morrell, Newhouse, Quall, Strow, P. Sullivan and Wallace.

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

The Association of Washington Generals was formed in 1970 by Lieutenant Governor John Cherberg. It is a service organization which honors worthy citizens who make significant contributions to Washington. The association awards honorees a commission as a Washington General. Commissions are signed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Secretary of State. The association does not have authority to use the state flag or the state seal.

Summary of Bill:

The Association of Washington Generals is organized as a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation with the purpose of recognizing outstanding service to the state and bringing those individuals together to serve as ambassadors of trade, tourism, and international goodwill.

The Association of Washington Generals is governed by a board of directors. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Secretary of State are to serve on the association's board of directors as ex officio non-voting members. The board will review nominations for and select new Washington Generals, and establish the title of "honorary Washington General" to honor worthy individuals from outside of Washington.

The Association of Washington Generals may conduct activities in support of their mission, including establishing selection criteria for selecting Washington Generals, operating an essay contest, training the generals as ambassadors of Washington, and promoting Washington Generals as the ambassadors of Washington.

The Lieutenant Governor's office may provide technical and financial assistance for the association. Subject to the availability of funds, the Legislature may make appropriations in support of the Washington Generals. The association may use the image of the Washington State flag and retain any revenue generated by such use.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Association of Washington Generals was created by Lieutenant. Governor John Cherberg as an organization of ambassadors. By codifying the program, the stature of the program is increased. This program does not take anything away from the state Medal of Honor program, but does provide another way to recognize extraordinary members of our communities. The bill directs the Association of Washington Generals to develop criteria for membership, thereby ensuring that commissions are not carelessly awarded. The Association of Washington Generals will continue its work with the schools through scholarships and essay contests.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen; and Chuck Hardaway, Association of Washington Generals.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.