FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5229

C 410 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding the legislative youth advisory council.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Hobbs, Franklin, Tom, King, Pridemore, Kohl-Welles, Jacobsen, Kilmer and Shin).

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

House Committee on Education Appropriations

Background: In 2005 a 22-member Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) for students between the ages of 14 and 18 was established to provide an opportunity for students to be actively involved in government. Originally, the LYAC was to expire after two years.

The program is administered by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Duties of the LYAC consist of advising the Legislature on legislation, policy, and budget matters relating to youth; advising standing committees, commissions, and task forces on issues related to youth; conducting periodic seminars for its members on leadership, government, and the Legislature; and submitting annual reports to the Legislature with any recommendations for legislation. The LYAC meets between three and six times a year.

In the 2007 session, the process for determining members of the LYAC was changed from a selection process by legislators and the Governor to an application process. Interested students may apply by completing an online application and submitting it to the LYAC. The LYAC recommends applicants to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for final selection, and the Lieutenant Governor notifies all the applicants of the final selections. Additionally, the expiration date for the LYAC was extended for two additional years, until June 30, 2009.

Currently the LYAC may accept grants and donations from public and private sources to support the activities of the LYAC. In the 2007-09 operating budget, $228,000 was provided to the OSPI for the operation of the LYAC.

Summary: Changes to the operation of the LYAC are made. The LYAC is authorized to solicit, not merely accept, grants and donations from public and private sources to support the activities of the LYAC. The Lieutenant Governor's selection process of the LYAC members must be done within existing staff and resources. The OSPI administration of the program and the duties of the LYAC, including meetings and travel reimbursement, are contingent on sufficient funds being available from any source. The expiration date of June 30, 2009, is removed so that there is no expiration date for the LYAC. An emergency clause is added so the legislation will take effect immediately upon signing by the Governor to avoid the expiration date of the LYAC occurring prior to the effective date of the legislation.

Votes on Final Passage: