HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1741


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Affairs

Title: An act relating to the oral history program.

Brief Description: Transferring the oral history program from the secretary of state to the legislature.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt, Skinner and Conway).

Brief History:

State Government & Tribal Affairs: 1/15/08, 1/23/08 [DP2S].

Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill
  • Transfers the responsibility for conducting oral histories of current and former members and staff of the Legislature to the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.
  • Revises the Secretary of State's Oral History Program to conducting oral histories of former members and staff of the Washington state executive and judicial branches of government.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Liias, Miloscia and Ormsby.

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

The Oral History Program (Program) is administered by the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) at the direction of an Oral History Advisory Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Program is to record and document oral histories of current and former members and staff of the Legislature, current and former state government officials and personnel, and other citizens who have participated in the political history of the state.

The Committee consists of four members of the House of Representatives, two from each major caucus; four members from the Senate, two from each major caucus; the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives (Chief Clerk); the Secretary of the Senate (Secretary); and the SOS. The Committee selects persons to be interviewed, decides which transcripts should be published, and advises the SOS on various other processes and program administration. The SOS must contract with independent oral historians and through the history departments of the state universities for conducting and recording the interviews. Transcripts and photographs may be published for distribution to libraries and for sale to the public.


Summary of Second Substitute Bill:

The Oral History Program is transferred in part to the Secretary and the Chief Clerk and renamed the Legislative Oral History Program (Program). The purpose of the Program is to conduct oral histories of current and former members and staff of the Legislature and other citizens who have participated in the political history of the state.

The SOS shall conduct oral histories of former members and staff of the Washington state executive and judicial branches of government and other citizens who have participated in the political history of the state. Renamed the Washington Legacy Project (Legacy Project), the Program will serve as a repository for oral histories related to community, family, and other various projects. The SOS may create an advisory council to provide advice and guidance on matters pertaining to operating the Legacy Project.

The Oral History Committee is transferred to the Secretary and the Chief Clerk and renamed The Legislative Oral History Committee (Committee). The Committee maintains its current function and duties. The SOS may appoint a designee to serve on the Committee. Ex officio members may be appointed by a majority vote of the Committee's members and the chair of the Committee shall be elected by a majority vote of the Committee members.

In the event an interview candidate has occupied positions in multiple branches of government, the interview shall be conducted according to the last position held by the candidate, except that the candidate may select which program he or she wishes to prepare his or her oral history.

The Legislative Oral History Account (Account) is created in the custody of the State Treasurer and expenditures from the Account may only be made for purposes of the Program and may only be authorized by the Secretary and the Chief Clerk or their designees. The Secretary and the Chief Clerk may solicit and accept donations for purposes of conducting oral histories.

Second Substitute Bill Compared to Engrossed Substitute Bill:

The second substitute transfers a portion of the Program to the Secretary and the Chief Clerk to conduct oral histories of current and former members and staff of the Legislature and is named the Legislative Oral History Program. The SOS shall conduct oral histories of former members and staff of the Washington state executive and judicial branches of government and other citizens who have participated in the political history of the state. The SOS Program shall be referred to as the Washington State Legacy Project and will serve as a repository for oral histories related to community, family, and other various projects. The SOS may create a Washington State Legacy Project advisory council to provide advice and guidance on matters pertaining to operating the Legacy Project.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a bill that was worked on last year and over the interim. The SOS will continue to work on the bill to make sure the division of the Program meets the requirements for both programs.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Hunt, prime sponsor; and Megan Moreno, Secretary of State.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.