Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 1177
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: Regarding field investigations on privately owned lands.
Sponsors: Representatives Hunt and McCoy.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/27/11
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
State law provides that archaeological studies conducted on public lands be performed by professional archaeologists. Professional archaeologist is defined as: a person with qualifications meeting the federal Secretary of the Interior's (Secretary) standards for a professional archaeologist. Archaeologists not meeting this standard may be conditionally employed by working under the supervision of a professional archaeologist for a period of four years provided the employee is pursuing qualifications necessary to meet the Secretary's standards for a professional archaeologist. During this four-year period, the professional archaeologist is responsible for all findings. The four-year period is not subject to renewal.
The Secretary's standards for a professional archaeologist require a graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field plus:
at least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration or management;
at least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archaeology; and
demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.
In addition to these minimum qualifications, a professional in prehistoric archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historic archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the historic period.
Summary of Bill:
Legislative intent pertaining to archaeological field investigations conducted on privately owned lands is revised to state that such work should be conducted by professional archaeologists.
A "field investigation" is defined as an on-site inspection by a professional archaeologist or by an individual under the direct supervision of a professional archaeologist employing archaeological inspection techniques for both the surface and subsurface identification of archaeological resources and artifacts resulting in a professional archaeological report detailing the results of such inspection.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.