HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 2084

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Wineberry, Holland, Locke, Brough, R. Fisher, Padden, O'Brien, Schoon, H. Sommers, Moyer, Anderson, Doty, Morris, McLean, Ebersole, Beck, Prentice, Winsley, Belcher, Ferguson, Rayburn, Rasmussen, Kremen, Todd, Rector, Raiter, Dorn, Peery, Walk, P. King, G. Fisher, Brekke, Appelwick, Crane, Braddock, Nutley, Inslee, Sayan, Nelson, Cantwell, Vekich, Hargrove, Scott, H. Myers, Jacobsen, Phillips, K. Wilson, Bristow, Zellinsky, R. Meyers, Cooper, Wang, Dellwo, Miller, Van Luven, Basich, R. King, Leonard and Hankins)

Establishing the Washington state commission on African-American affairs within the office of the Governor.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, Morris, Rector, Sayan and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on State Government as amended by Committee on Appropriations be substituted therefor and the substitute bill as amended do pass.  (27)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Brough, Dorn, Doty, Ferguson, Hine, May, McLean, Nealey, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 15, 1989

BACKGROUND:

According to 1988 census estimates, there are approximately 127,000 African- Americans residing in Washington, representing the third largest minority in the state.

In the early 1970's the Legislature created the Commission on Asian American Affairs and the Commission on Hispanic Affairs to serve the two largest minority groups in the state.  These commissions are liaisons between their constituents and state government.  The commissions examine, define, and recommend to the Legislature and other agencies issues pertaining to the rights and needs of their constituencies, and they aid their constituents in accessing state services and benefits.

SUMMARY:

A Commission on African-American Affairs is created.  The goal of the commission is to improve the well-being of African- Americans in Washington State.  Toward this goal, the commission is to work to ensure access by African-Americans in the fields of government, business, education, law, and other areas.  "African-American" is defined as a U.S. citizen who traces his or her heritage or culture to African nations, or whose ethnicity has historically been identified as black, Negro or colored.

The commission consists of one representative from each of the state congressional districts, and one representative from each county with an African-American population of 4,000 or more.  The commissioners serve three-year, staggered terms, and they select a chair from their members.

The governor may appoint an executive director from a list of three names submitted by the commission.  These three names are to be selected based on recruitment, interview, and evaluation by the commission.  The director serves at the pleasure of the governor.

The commission:  (a) acts as a liaison between government entities and the African-American population; (b) advises the Legislature on the development of state programs; (c) maintains a dialogue with the African-American community; and (d) subject to the availability of funds, may establish an internship program for college and university students to research African-American issues.  Each year, the commission is to submit a report to the governor describing its activities and delineating the issues and concerns of African-Americans in the state.

The commission is subject to a sunset review and possible termination on June 30, 1994.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 24, 1989.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (State Government)  Representative Jesse Wineberry, prime sponsor; Thelma Jackson, Washington State Black Community Coalition; Mark Fristo, citizen; and Tawnya Trevino, Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

(Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (State Government)  None Presented.

(Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (State Government)  A Commission on African-American Affairs will help ensure inclusion of the African-American community in the political process.

(Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (State Government)  None Presented.

(Appropriations)  None Presented.