HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6734

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn, Johnson, Williams, Barr, Kreidler, von Reichbauer, Stratton, Madsen and McCaslin)

Improving administration of historical activities and programs.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, R. King, Morris and O'Brien.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Heritage Council.   The Washington State Heritage Council was created in 1983 to provide oversight for four historical agencies:  the three state historical societies and the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation in the Department of Community Development.  The Heritage Council is to maintain a state-wide plan on historic preservation and other historical matters, monitor implementation of the plan, and review the budget requests of the historical agencies.

The council consists of the Secretary of State, members of the three historical societies, and five persons appointed by the governor who are experienced and knowledgeable in historical and archaeological matters.  The Department of Community Development provides administrative and financial support for the council's meetings.

Heritage Resource Center.   Through an interagency agreement with the Centennial Commission, the State Capital Museum operated a resource center to provide training, grant-writing workshops, and other technical assistance to local historical organizations to enhance local centennial celebrations.  The governor has requested funds in the supplemental budget to continue operating the resource center on an on-going basis.  The assistance provided by the resource center does not include grants-in-aid for local capital expenditures such as exhibits.

Funding for State Historical Societies.  The three state historical societies are supported by appropriations from the state general fund and by locally-generated monies from membership fees, grants, and donations.  For the State Historical Society and the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, appropriated funds are kept with the State Treasurer, but local funds may be deposited in a separate, interest-bearing account.  Both accounts are subject to allotment procedures.  By statute, both general fund and local monies of the State Capital Museum are subject to appropriation and are deposited with the State Treasurer.  Any interest on the account balance is credited to the general fund.

SUMMARY:

Financial and administrative support services for the Washington State Heritage Council are provided by the Washington State Historical Society, rather than by the Department of Community Development.

A program of grants-in-aid to local heritage organizations and institutions for historic preservation or interpretation projects is created under the authority of the Heritage Council.  The Washington State Historical Society provides staff support and administrative services for the program.  If specific funding for the grants-in-aid program is not provided in the supplemental operating budget, the provisions creating the program are null and void.

The statutory requirement for all funds in the State Capitol Historical Museum account to be deposited with the State Treasurer and for the earnings on the account balance to be deposited in the general fund is repealed.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Lorraine Wojahn, prime sponsor; and David Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Support for the Heritage Council rightfully belongs with the oldest historical society in the state, not in the Department of Community Development where it is difficult to maintain funding.  There is much talk about preserving our natural environment, but we also need to preserve our heritage and our past.  Direct requests to the Legislature for individual preservation projects could be reduced under a program of grants-in-aid.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.