SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1194
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 of March 17, 2017
Title: An act relating to creating a legislative page scholarship program.
Brief Description: Creating the Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship program.
Sponsors: House Committee on State Govt, Elections & IT (originally sponsored by Representatives Hayes, Pettigrew, Smith, Springer, Kretz, Schmick, Santos, Short, Haler, Lovick, Riccelli, Blake, Senn, Jinkins, Gregerson, Muri, Frame, Wylie, Kilduff, McBride, Bergquist, Fey, Stambaugh, Ormsby, Farrell and Pollet).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/22/17, 97-0.
Committee Activity: State Government: 3/17/17.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT |
Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)
Background: The Page program was established in 1891 and is a joint program of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Legislators sponsor the pages, who assist with the Legislature's work by making deliveries and performing other necessary tasks. Pages are hired as employees during the legislative session. Each student is required to make arrangements for their own food and lodging for the week that they serve the Legislature as part of the Page program.
Ethics statutes prohibit public employees and officials from engaging in activities, such as financial transactions, that pose a conflict of interest with regard to official duties. Exemptions allow officials to solicit gifts and various items of value for specified projects.
Summary of Bill: This act establishes the Gina Grant Bull Memorial Legislative Page Scholarship program (Program) to provide assistance to students based on financial need.
A new Gina Grant Bull Memorial Legislative Page Scholarship account (Account) is created in the custody of the State Treasurer. Monies solicited may only be deposited in the Account and used to operate the Program. The Account is subject to allotment procedures but an appropriation is not required. The Account will retain its interest and investment earnings.
The Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives are authorized to:
administer the Program;
solicit and accept gifts and other specified items of value for the Program; and
expend funds from the Account on the Program, except as limited by the donors' terms.
Ethics statutes clarify that the Secretary of the Senate or Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, their designees, legislative members, and legislative employees, are not prohibited from soliciting and accepting contributions for the Program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Gina served the Legislature as the House page supervisor and in other roles. The Page program is an excellent education experience for youth in our state. The scholarship program continues Gina's legacy by enabling youth from families not able to support costs associated with participation, such as room and board, thereby increasing access the unique opportunities to serve in the program.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Dave Hayes, Prime Sponsor; Jim Halstrom; William Bart, Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.