Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 2397

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:

State Historical Societies.

Washington currently has two state historical societies: the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS); and the Eastern Washington State Historical Society (EWHS). The WSHS operates two museums; the State History Museum in Tacoma, and the State Capital Museum in Olympia. The EWHS operates the Cheney Cowles Museum and the historic Campbell House in Spokane. In addition, the historical societies are responsible for collecting and preserving historical materials, planning for and conducting state historical celebrations, and promoting cultural, educational, and artistic activities related to the state's history. Fund-raising activities are undertaken for the purpose of increasing the self-support of the historical societies. Each historical society is governed by its own board of trustees and appoints its respective directors with the consent of the Governor.

Oral History Programs.

The Legacy Project in the Office of the Secretary of State consists of conducting 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 2007 part of the oral history program was transferred to the Legislature. The Legislature conducts 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. Oral histories may be published and distributed to libraries, as well as offered for sale to the public.

Washington State Heritage Account.

The Washington State Heritage Account (Account) was established in 2007. Expenditures from the Account are for payment of the certificate of participation issued for the Washington State Heritage Center (WSHC); capital maintenance for the WSHC; and program operations that serve the public, relate to the collections and exhibits housed in the WSHC, or fulfill the missions of the Washington State Archives, the State Library, and the State Capital Museum. The Account is funded from a $5 filing fee for:

articles of incorporation of domestic corporations or applications for certificates of authority for foreign corporations;
certificates of formation for domestic limited liability companies or registrations of foreign limited liability companies;
registration of foreign and domestic partnerships and limited liability partnerships;
certificates of limited partnerships and registration of foreign limited partnerships; and
registrations of trademarks.

During the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the Legislature may appropriate from the Account for the purposes of state arts, historical, and library programs.

Summary of Bill:

The oral history programs conducted by the Secretary of State and the state Legislature and the Account are transferred to the Washington state historical societies. Moneys deposited into the Account may be made only for program operations that serve the public, relate to the collections and exhibits housed in the historical societies, or fulfill the missions of the state historical societies and the State Capital Museum. Only the directors of the historical societies, or their designees, may authorize expenditures from the Account. The directors of the historical societies shall jointly administer the oral history program. Legislative authority to appropriate from the Account during the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium are not changed.

Statutes pertaining to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation are revised and recodified into Chapter 43.334 RCW. Technical corrections are made to revise account names and purposes under the authority of the Secretary of State.