Brief Description: Providing for a legislative gift center.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representative Hunt).

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

Several states have legislative or capitol gift shops, including Arizona, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Vermont. These gift shops allow states to address the demand for souvenirs by visitors to the state capitol. They also provide an opportunity for states to highlight merchandise specific to the state's culture and history. Many states use this to showcase unique, locally made items.

In Washington, the Secretary of State has a small store in the office reception area that sells items bearing the State Seal, including glassware, men's ties, wine bags, and office items. The proceeds from the sale of the items bearing the State Seal are deposited into the Capitol Building Construction Account for use in the historical restoration and completion of the legislative building.

Summary:

A gift center for the sale of products bearing the State Seal, Washington souvenirs, other Washington products, and other products as approved, is created in the Legislature. The Chief Clerk of the House (Chief Clerk) and the Secretary of the Senate (Secretary) or their designee will have governance over the gift center and will work in consultation with the Department of General Administration for planning, siting, and maintenance of the facility. The sale of products bearing the State Seal must be purchased from the Secretary of State pursuant to an agreement between the Chief Clerk, the Secretary, and the Secretary of State.

Proceeds from the gift center will be deposited as follows: 25 percent to the Legislative Oral History Account; 25 percent to the Oral History, State Library, and Archives Account; and 50 percent to the Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee (Committee). All proceeds from the sale of items bearing the State Seal will be deposited in the Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee Account. The gift center may also designate special sales, the proceeds from which will be deposited in an account specified at the time of designation.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   95   0
Senate   47   0   (Senate amended)
House   94   0   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007