SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6302

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Warnke, Zimmerman, Garrett, McDonald and Johnson

Providing for citizen councilors.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 27, 1988

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Desley Brooks (786-7443)

AS OF JANUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

It has been suggested that the centennial observance should include a special program for participation and communication on public issues.

SUMMARY:

It is declared legislative intent to facilitate public and private planning and decision-making processes and to strengthen democracy in Washington State by widening channels of communication and fostering more positive relationships between citizens and public and private institutions.

A citizen councilor and public information volunteer staff is created within the Department of Community Development(DCD). The Director appoints a director of the citizen councilor and public information volunteer staff, who is a volunteer and receives compensation for actual expenses.  The Department may also hire a value reporter and other necessary staff.

The Department must solicit suggested issues for public discussion; approve public information materials; oversee tabulation, summarization and distribution of data by mail; and promote a citizen councilor program.  The Department also direct appropriate issues for consideration by citizens to a steering committee composed of one member of the minority and majority party of both houses of the Legislature.  Nonvoting members of the steering committee are a representative from the Centennial Commission, a representative from the Superintendent of Public Instruction and a representative from any participating organization with over 50 groups of citizen councilors.

After approval by the legislative members of the steering committee, DCD assigns the issues for discussion to the director of citizen assessment and public information for preparation and implementation by value reporters and others.  The volunteer staff solicits volunteers from futures research, data processing, community service, educational, civic, business and religious organizations, and also encourages citizen councilor groups through organizational appeals.

The position of citizen councilor is created.  Any registered voter may become a citizen councilor by letter to DCD with payment of a fee set by the Department to cover costs of the program.  Individual fees may be waived under certain conditions.  Citizen councilor groups consist of eight to twelve members assigned to a convener by zip code or otherwise at the individual's request.  The director of the volunteer staff solicits subscriptions from citizen councilor organization groups at fees of $15 per member to cover the costs of volunteer activities.

Responses of shareholders on appropriate issues are tabulated by the volunteer staff by groups when 50 or more groups have been enrolled by an organization.  Following the organizational tabulation, an organizational profile is provided by congressional district.  Governmental units, including counties and municipalities may purchase mailing labels of conveners if they wish to utilize the Washington shareholder network within their geographical limits.

School districts are encouraged to organization groups of parents as councilor groups and to obtain a packet of material prepared by DCD for high school social studies teachers.

A citizen councilor revolving fund is created to consist of all fees and donations -- and any appropriations -- for the program.  Disbursements are authorized by the Department or the director of the volunteer staff.  The fund is subject to the Budget and Accounting Act but no appropriation is required for expenditures from the fund.  If the program fails to support itself and is terminated by DCD remaining funds are deposited in the general fund.

The program expires June 30, 1993.

Revenue:    Appropriate membership fees for individual citizen councilors and group fees estimated at $15 per year per member to support volunteer activities.

Fiscal Note:      none requested