FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5346
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. |
C 322 L 17
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Creating a legislative page scholarship program.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Walsh, Rolfes, Zeiger, Hobbs, Warnick, Pedersen, Nelson, Darneille, Kuderer, Hunt, Keiser, McCoy, Honeyford, Fain, Liias, Cleveland, Sheldon, Conway, Pearson, Frockt, Wilson, Bailey and Hasegawa).
Senate Committee on State Government
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
House Committee on State Government, Elections & Information Technology
Background: The Page program was established in 1891 and is a joint program of the House and 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: 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 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.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 44 | 0 | |
House | 97 | 0 | (House amended) |
Senate | 49 | 0 | (Senate concurred) |
Effective: | July 23, 2017 |