HOUSE BILL REPORT
3SHB 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 Passed House:
February 18, 2008
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: By House Committee on Apps Subcom GG (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt, Skinner and Conway).
Brief History:
State Government & Tribal Affairs: 1/15/08, 1/23/08 [DP2S];
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review: 2/5/08, 2/7/08[DP3S(w/o sub SGTA)].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/18/08, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Third Substitute Bill |
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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).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT & AUDIT REVIEW
Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the third substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Blake, Chandler, Kretz, Lantz, Liias, Miloscia, Morris, Nelson and Van De Wege.
Staff: Owen Rowe (786-7391).
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 Third 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.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (State Government & Tribal Affairs)
(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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations Subcommittee on General
Government & Audit Review)
(In support) This bill has been heard by the Legislature before. Last year it did not make it
out of the Senate. Oral history is very important, and the Legislature should be part of
preserving the Legislature's oral history. Profits from the new gift shop in the Legislative
Building will help provide funding for this project.
The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) supports the bill with equal distribution of funds
between the Legislature and the OSOS. There are some concerns about future funding of the
program. These may be revisited in the next biennium.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (State Government & Tribal Affairs) Representative Hunt, prime sponsor; and Megan Moreno, Secretary of State.
Persons Testifying: (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review) Representative Hunt, prime sponsor; and Megan Moreno, Office of the Secretary of State.