| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
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.
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 Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/15/08
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; 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 Bill:
The Program is transferred to the Secretary and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
(Chief Clerk) and is modified for the purpose of conducting 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 may conduct oral histories of current and former state government
officials and personnel, and other citizens who have participated in the political history of the
state. In the event a candidate for interview occupied positions in multiple branches of
government, the interview shall be conducted according to the last position held by the
candidate, except that the person being interviewed may select which entity he or she wishes to
prepare his or her oral history.
The Committee maintains its current function of selecting persons to be interviewed, deciding
which transcripts should be published, and advising the Secretary, the Chief Clerk, and the SOS
on various other program processes. 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.
An 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: Not requested on the engrossed substitute bill. Requested on the proposed second substitute bill on January 10, 2008.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.