HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6366

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Government Operations

Title:  An act relating to the Lewis and Clark trail bicentennial commemoration.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the Washington state historical society to work with the Lewis and Clark trail committee in developing activities to commemorate the Lewis and Clark trail bicentennial.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Prince, Wojahn, Sutherland, Winsley and Snyder; by request of Washington State Historical Society.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Operations:  2/14/96, 2/23/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Reams, Chairman; Cairnes, Vice Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; Scheuerman; D. Schmidt; Van Luven and Wolfe.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  The Washington State Historical Society and the Eastern Washington State Historical Society are responsible for collecting, cataloging, preserving, and interpreting objects and materials illustrative of the cultural, artistic, and natural history of the state.  The societies may also plan for and conduct celebrations of significant events in the history of the state, and give assistance to and coordinate with state agencies, local governments, and local historical organizations in planning and conducting these celebrations.

Plans are being made to celebrate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington State Historical Society is directed to work with and provide leadership to the Lewis and Clark Trail Committee in planning activities to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Northwest.  The society must coordinate its planning efforts with the State Parks and Recreation Commission and work with other associations and state agencies in coordinating, developing, and disseminating information regarding activities planned to commemorate the expedition.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is a lot of interest in the state about the Lewis and Clark expedition.  This will allow better coordination to occur without creating any new boards.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified: Michael Warner, Washington State Historical Society.