HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5020
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government, Elections & Information Technology
Title: An act relating to certain state ethnic and cultural diversity commissions.
Brief Description: Concerning certain state ethnic and cultural diversity commissions.
Sponsors: Senators Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser and Chase.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government, Elections & Information Technology: 2/21/18 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Bill (As Amended by Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Dolan, Vice Chair; McDonald, Ranking Minority Member; Kraft, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Gregerson, Irwin, Johnson and Pellicciotti.
Staff: Travis Yonker (786-7383).
Background:
The Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs (CAA), the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA), and the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (APAA) consists of membership appointed by the Governor. Each commission has similar powers and duties, such as examining and defining issues pertaining to the rights and special needs of their respective ethnic communities, making recommendations to the Governor and state agencies on programs and laws, and advising the Governor or agencies on the development of policies and programs that relate to the needs of their respective ethnic communities. The CHA also advises the Legislature on issues of concern to the Hispanic Community. The CAA must act in concert with the Governor to advise the Legislature on issues of concern to the African-American community.
The CHA is subject to a sunset provision. It must be terminated on June 30, 2021, and the relevant statutory provisions must be repealed on June 30, 2022.
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Summary of Amended Bill:
As part of their powers and duties, the APAA and the CAA must advise the Legislature on issues of concern to their respective ethnic and cultural communities.
The scheduled termination of the CHA and the underlying statutes relating to the CHA set for June 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022, respectively, are repealed.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The bill as amended clarifies that the CAA must advise the Legislature on relevant issues without the need to act in concert with the Governor. The amended bill repeals the sunset statute that is set to terminate the CHA on June 30, 2021, in addition to the June 30, 2022 termination of the statutes relating to the CHA repealed in the original bill.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: None.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill aligns the duties of the CAA, the APAA, and the CHA, so that each of those commissions has equal opportunities to advocate directly to the Legislature, and brings parity to all of those commissions. The sunset provisions on the CHA should be repealed since the Latino population in Washington is growing. This bill has no fiscal impact, but will have a huge positive impact.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Hasegawa, prime sponsor.; and Lisa van der Lugt, Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.