SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5176

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: Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee. The Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee (Committee) was created in 1999 to promote and encourage the preservation of the original and historic furnishings of buildings on the state capitol campus. The Committee is responsible for raising awareness to help prevent future loss of historic furnishings, funding the restoration of certain furnishings, and reviewing and advising future remodeling and restoration projects in Capitol Group buildings. Currently the Capitol Group includes the Legislative Building, the Insurance Building, the Temple of Justice, the John A. Cherberg Building, the John L. O'Brien Building, and the Irving Newhouse Building.

Current law requires the membership of the Committee to include two members of the House of Representatives and two members of the Senate, one from each major caucus in each chamber; the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives; the Secretary of the Senate; the Governor or their designee; the Lieutenant Governor or their designee; representatives from the offices of the Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, and Insurance Commissioner; a representative of the Supreme Court; representatives of the Washington State Historical Society, Department of Enterprise Services, and the Thurston Regional Planning Council, each appointed by the Governor; and three private citizens, appointed by the Governor.

Summary of Bill: The Pritchard Building is added to the list of Capitol Group buildings. The General Administration Building is also included as a Capitol Group building, if the building is repurposed to serve a different function or substantially remodeled. The Committee is permitted to engage in interpretive and educational activities, including displaying historic furnishings. The Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives are permitted to appoint designees to serve on the Committee. An additional three private citizens may be appointed to the Committee by the Governor.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Committee receives no public funding and solicits private donations to support their work. The bill clarifies that part of the role of the Preservation Committee is to educate visitors on the historic furnishings of the Capitol Campus. The goal of adding the Pritchard Building to the Committee's responsibility is to protect and curate the building's mid-20th century artwork and furnishings following the building's 50th anniversary year in 2009. The bill gives the Committee the power to choose the placement of historic furnishings within the State Capitol Group buildings, instead of advising the occupants of each building of the placement of furnishings.