Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee

HB 2183

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:

The Governor's Office of Indian Affairs.

In 1969 the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs was established, first as an advisory council to the Governor, and 10 years later was converted to its present form, in which it is overseen by an executive director. The Governor's Office of Indian Affairs serves as a liaison between the state and tribal governments in an advisory, resource, consultation, and educational capacity.

The Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

In 1971 the Legislature created the Commission on Hispanic Affairs for the stated purpose to improve the well-being of people of Hispanic heritage by enabling them to participate fully in all fields of endeavor and by assisting them in obtaining governmental services. The Commission on Hispanic Affairs is administered by an executive director appointed by the Governor, and consists of 11 members, also appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. Duties of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs include examining and defining issues related to the rights and needs of the Hispanic community, and making recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies for: (1) changes in existing programs and laws; and (2) development and implementation of new policies and programs.

The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.

In 1974 the Legislature created the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs from the existing Asian-American Advisory Council for the stated purpose to improve the well-being of Asian Pacific Americans by insuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, and other areas. The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs is administered by an executive director appointed by the Governor, and consists of 12 members, also appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. Duties of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs include examining and defining issues related to the rights and needs of the Asian Pacific American community, and making recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies for: (1) changes in existing programs and laws; and (2) development and implementation of new policies and programs.

The Commission on African-American Affairs.

In 1992 the Legislature created the Commission on African-American Affairs for the stated purpose to improve the well-being of African-Americans by enabling them to participate fully in all fields of endeavor and by assisting them in obtaining governmental services. The Commission on African-American Affairs is administered by an executive director appointed by the Governor, and consists of nine members, also appointed by the Governor for three-year, staggered terms. Duties of the Commission on African-American Affairs include examining and defining issues related to the rights and needs of the African-American community, and making recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies for: (1) changes in existing programs and laws; and (2) development and implementation of new policies and programs.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington State Commission on Minority Affairs (Commission) is created, administered by an executive director appointed by the Governor. The executive director may employ staff. The Commission consists of four members appointed by the Governor for three-year, staggered terms as follows:

one member of Native American ancestry;
one member of Hispanic ancestry;
one member of African ancestry; and
one member of Asian Pacific ancestry.

The primary duties of the Commission are to advise the Governor, Legislature, and state agencies on public policy issues that disproportionately affect minority groups. The Commission has all the powers, duties, and functions assigned to the Governor's office of Indian Affairs, the Commission on African-American Affairs, the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, and also has the following powers and duties:

it may adopt administrative rules;
it may examine and define issues related to the rights and needs of minority communities, and make recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies: (1) for changes in existing programs and laws; and (2) for development and implementation of new policies and programs; and
it may receive gifts, grants, and endowments, and expend the same without appropriation.

The Governor's office of Indian Affairs, the Commission on African-American Affairs, the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and the Commission on Hispanic Affairs are each abolished, resulting in the following:

all powers, duties, and functions held by those organizations are transferred to the Commission;
all documents, records, tangible property, funds, credits, or other assets in the possession of those organizations, are transferred to the Commission;
all appropriations made to those organizations are transferred to the Commission;
all employees assigned to those organizations are transferred to the Commission;
all rules and pending business, including contracts and obligations, belonging to or before those organizations continue before the Commission; and
all references to those organizations in law are amended to reference the Commission.