Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 1404

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.

Background:

The governance of the capitol campus and all state facilities in Thurston County is through the State Capitol Committee (SCC), with day-to-day management provided by the Department of General Administration (GA). The SCC was established by the Legislature in 1921 and replaced the State Capitol Commission created in 1901. The SCC approves construction of all state buildings in Thurston County; approves acquisition of real estate for state government in Thurston County; and carries out other duties as specified by the Legislature.

The members of the SCC are the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Commissioner of Public Lands (ex officio). The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee (CCDAC) advises the SCC and the GA regarding state capitol facilities and grounds. Specifically, the CCDAC reviews programs, planning, design, and landscaping of state capitol facilities and grounds, and makes recommendations that will further the architectural, aesthetic, functional, and environment excellence in design and maintenance of capitol facilities on campus and in neighboring communities.

The CCDAC consists of four legislators, the Secretary of State (SOS), two architects, a landscape architect, and an urban planner. Staff resources are provided by the GA. The CCDAC was originally created by executive order in 1984, continued through budget provisos, and enacted into statute in 1990.

The Legislature approves the names for new and existing buildings on the west State Capitol grounds based upon recommendations from the SCC and the director of the GA, with the advice of the CCDAC. These recommendations are based on certain limitations. An existing room or space may be renamed only after a substantial renovation. The new or the substantially renovated existing room or space may be named or renamed after:

an individual who has played a significant role in Washington's history;
the purpose of the room or space;
a significant place name or natural place in Washington;
a Native American tribe located in Washington;
a group of people or type of person; or
any other appropriate person consistent with this section as recommended by the director of the GA.

The Washington State Heritage Center (Center) is a 206,000 gross square feet educational and cultural landmark that is being built on the Capitol Campus. It will house the State Library, the State Archives and other historical documents. In 2007, the Legislature authorized a $2 surcharge on certain documents recorded with a county auditor. In addition, the Legislature authorized a $5 increase in the initial, one-time corporate filing paid for filing articles of incorporation or trademarks with the SOS. These fees must be deposited into the Washington State Heritage Center Account. Under the 2007 legislation, the SOS may solicit grants and gifts for the development, construction and operation of the Center.

Summary of Bill:

The Secretary of State (SOS) shall propose, and the SCC shall approve, the names for new and existing rooms or spaces in the Washington State Heritage Center (Center). In addition, to the current statutory limitations for names, the Center may also have public rooms or spaces named in honor of a donor, benefactor, grant-maker or other substantial contributor.

The SOS shall adopt regulations to govern name proposal in honor of a donor, benefactor, grant-maker or other person or entity who has substantially contributed financially or in-kind to the Center. The donor, benefactor, grant-maker or other person or entity may be acknowledged with a standard plaque, sign or other recognition as proposed by the SOS. The acknowledgement must be reviewed by the CCDAC and approved by the SCC.