FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2776

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.

C 46 L 14

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Renaming the Washington civil liberties public education program.

Sponsors: Representatives Santos, Pettigrew, DeBolt, Cody, Morris, Haigh, Chandler, Kagi, S. Hunt, Orcutt, Dunshee, Kirby, Chopp, Jinkins, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Ormsby and Hudgins.

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Background:

Legislation enacted in 2000 established the Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program (Program).  The purpose of the Program is to provide grants from funds appropriated for this purpose or from private donations to educate the public on the history and lessons of the internment of persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II.  The grants could be used to develop and distribute educational materials, videos, plays, speakers, bureaus, and exhibitions for schools, colleges, and other interested parties. Applicants include nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, public schools, cultural institutions, and individuals.

 

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) administers the Program and selects grant recipients based on specified criteria and project components. State funding for the Program was discontinued in the 2009-11 biennium, but the SPI maintains a website with information and educational materials developed under the Program and available for continued use.

Former State Representative Kip Tokuda was born in 1946, shortly after his family was released from the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho. He was a civic and political leader among the Asian American community and represented the 37th legislative district in Seattle from 1994 to 2002. Representative Tokuda died of a heart attack on July 13, 2013.

Summary:

The Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program is named the Kip Tokuda Memorial Program.

Votes on Final Passage:

House

98

0

Senate

49

0

Effective:

June 12, 2014