Brief Description: Creating the legislative youth advisory council.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Rasmussen, Franklin, McAuliffe and Kohl-Welles.

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability

Background: Approximately three hundred children and adults have petitioned the legislature to provide a way for youth to be directly involved with legislation that concerns them.

Summary: A legislative youth advisory council is established until June 30, 2007 to examine issues important to youth and advise the legislature on these issues and related legislation.

The council has twenty-two members between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. Each of the two major caucuses in the Senate and House of Representatives appoints five of the members, and the Governor appoints two. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction administers the council. The Senate and the House may provide briefings and help with drafting legislation and must adopt policies about providing staff assistance, resources, and funding.

The council can meet between three and six times a year, hold up to two public hearings, and conduct educational seminars for its members. It must report annually on its activities and any recommendations for legislation.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      41   7
House      53   43   (House amended)
Senate      34   13   (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005