Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2288

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 Summary of Bill

Transfers administration of the Washington History Day Program (Program) from the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), effective July 1, 2018.
Specifies that the Program, subject to specified provisions, must be operated as a partnership between the WSHS, the OSPI, and private parties interested in providing funding and in-kind support.
Requires, with limited exceptions, the transfer of reports, documents, and financial assets associated with the Program from the WSHS to the OSPI by July 1, 2018.
Creates a new non-appropriated Washington History Day account in the custody of the Washington State Treasurer.

Background:

National History Day and Washington History Day.

The National History Day organization (NHD), a nonprofit organization established in 1974, offers year-long academic programs for middle and high school students in and outside of the United States. In addition to providing professional development opportunities and curriculum materials for teachers, the NHD operates the National History Day Contest, a contest that Washington participates in as an affiliate through the Washington History Day Program. The Washington History Day Program is administered by the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS). According to the WSHS, more than 8,000 participate in the Washington History Day Program each year.

The WSHS, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, is designated by the Legislature as a trustee of the state's historical articles and properties. The WSHS's duties include collecting and preserving historical materials, operating state museums, conducting educational activities and historical celebrations, engaging in fund-raising, and exchanging historical property.

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

In addition to its constitutional charge of supervising all matter pertaining to public schools, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and its office has numerous and broad responsibilities prescribed in statute, including:

making rules and regulations necessary for the administration of public education requirements;
preparing courses of study and other materials and books for the discharge of education duties;
fulfilling financial responsibilities, including distributing legislatively allocated funds to districts for the operation of the public school system, and awarding numerous state and federally funded grants;
maintaining and revising, in consultation with the State Board of Education, a statewide academic assessment system to measure student knowledge and skills on state learning standards and for purposes of state and federal accountability; and
satisfying numerous reporting and other duties assigned by the Legislature.

Summary of Bill:

Effective July 1, 2018, responsibility for administering the Washington History Day Program (Program) is transferred from the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Subject to funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the OSPI is responsible for the administration and coordination of the Program, including providing necessary staff support.

Although the OSPI has administrative and coordination duties, the Program must be operated as a partnership between the OSPI, the WSHS, and private parties interested in providing funding and in-kind support. The WSHS, in coordination with the OSPI, is directed to promote the Program and provide access and support for students who are conducting primary and secondary research of historical Washington documents and commentary.

All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or other written or electronically stored material in the possession of the WSHS and pertaining to the Program must be delivered to the custody of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) by July 1, 2018. Excepting funds necessary to promote and support the Program, all funds, credits, or other assets held by the WSHS in connection with the powers, functions, and duties transferred under this section are transferred to the OSPI on or before July 1, 2018.

A non-appropriated Washington History Day account (which can be populated with public or private moneys) is created in the custody of the Washington State Treasurer. Only the SPI or the SPI's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. Provisions creating the account specify that it will retain any interest earned on account balances.