Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee |
HB 2759
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 Description: Establishing the Washington state women's commission.
Sponsors: Representatives Doglio, Jinkins, Senn, Pettigrew, Dolan, Hudgins, Stanford, Chapman, Kagi, Appleton, Gregerson, Tarleton, Santos, Kilduff, Pollet, Macri, Frame and Bergquist.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/30/18
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:
In 1971 the Washington State Women's Council (Women's Council) was created by executive order. The Women's Council was comprised of approximately 15 members appointed by the Governor. The Women's Council was directed to consider appropriate questions pertaining to the rights and needs of women in contemporary America and to make recommendations to the Governor and state agencies regarding changes in program and law. The Office of the Governor, any other state agency subsequently designated, was required to provide staff assistance. Through the executive order, state departments were requested to provide appropriate and reasonable assistance to the Women's Council, and local government officials and private citizens were requested to cooperate with the Women's Council as needed, to accomplish the Women's Council's goals. In 1978 the Women's Council was discontinued through executive order after Referendum 40 was defeated when voters decided not to replace the Women's Council with a statutory Women's Commission.
There are 40 commissions housed under the Office of the Governor. For example, the Commission on African American Affairs, the Arts Commission, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.
Summary of Bill:
The Washington State Women's Commission (Women's Commission) is established in the Office of the Governor. The Governor will appoint an executive director (Director) to administer the Women's Commission. The Director will employ staff for the Women's Commission.
Membership.
The Women's Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate. There are four advisory members as follows:
two members of the Senate, one from each of the two major political parties appointed by the President;
two members of the House of Representatives, one from each of the two major political parties appointed by the Speaker;
The Governor must consider nominations for membership based on maintaining a balanced and diverse distribution of ethnic, geographic, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, and occupational representation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.