S-4450               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6734

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Senators Wojahn, Johnson, Williams, Barr, Kreidler, von Reichbauer, Stratton, Madsen and McCaslin

Read first time 1/24/90 and referred to Committee on  Governmental Operations.

AN ACT Relating to improving the administration of historical activities and programs; amending RCW 27.34.030, 27.34.040, and 27.34.280; repealing RCW 27.34.090; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 3, chapter 91, Laws of 1983 and RCW 27.34.030 are each amended to read as follows:

          There is hereby created the Washington state heritage council.  The purposes and responsibilities of the council are to:

          (1) Adopt and maintain a state-wide plan pertaining to archaeology, history, historic preservation, and other historical matters;

          (2) Monitor implementation of the plan by the state historical agencies and report any deficiencies to the legislature and the governor; ((and))

          (3) Review and comment on the budget requests of the state historical agencies based on the state-wide plan; and

(4) Establish and oversee a program of grants-in-aid to local heritage organizations and institutions, including but not limited to, historical societies and museums, whether public agencies or nonprofit organizations, for projects having as their purpose the preservation or interpretation of aspects of Washington state and local history.  The Washington state historical society shall administer and provide staff support for the program of grants-in-aid.

        Sec. 2.  Section 4, chapter 91, Laws of 1983 and RCW 27.34.040 are each amended to read as follows:

          The heritage council shall consist of:

          (1) A member of the Washington state historical society nominated by the governing board of the society and confirmed by the governor;

          (2) A  member of the eastern Washington state historical society nominated by the governing board of the society and confirmed by the governor;

          (3) A member of the state capital historical association nominated by the governing board of the association and confirmed by the governor;

          (4) The secretary of state; and

          (5) Five persons appointed by the governor who are experienced and knowledgeable in historical and archaeological matters.

          The council shall elect a chairperson from among its members.  The secretary of state shall serve as an ex officio member of the council.  The remaining council members shall serve four-year terms except initial members whose terms shall be as follows:  Two members appointed for four years, two members appointed for three years, two members appointed for two years, and two members appointed for one year.  Any vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments for the balance of the unexpired term.  The secretary of state shall serve on the council without additional compensation.  All other council members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the council as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  The council shall meet at least once a quarter and at the call of the chairperson.  Five members of the council shall constitute a quorum.  The Washington state historical society shall provide administrative and financial services to the council.

        Sec. 3.  Section 16, chapter 91, Laws of 1983 as amended by section 15, chapter 266, Laws of 1986 and RCW 27.34.280 are each amended to read as follows:

          The department shall provide administrative and financial services to the advisory council on historic preservation ((and to the Washington state heritage council)).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  Section 9, chapter 91, Laws of 1983, section 7, chapter 57, Laws of 1985 and RCW 27.34.090 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     The sum of one hundred twenty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the Washington state historical society for the purposes of establishing a program of grants-in-aid as described in RCW 27.34.030.