HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5551

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Government Administration

Title:  An act relating to significant historic places.

Brief Description:  Designating significant historic places.

Sponsors:  Senators Prince, Fraser, Haugen, Jacobsen, McAuliffe and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  3/28/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Bronwyn Mauldin (786-7093).

Background:  The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, within the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, is responsible for maintaining the State Register of Historic Places which is a register of Washington districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects of historical, architectural, archaeological, and cultural significance.  The office prepares nominations for the state and national registers of historic places, in addition to other duties.  In order to be accepted, nominations to both the state and national registers must fulfill criteria set by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and must comply with any standards and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior for the preservation, acquisition, and development of such properties.  The State Historic Preservation officer makes the final decision on which nominations to accept for the state register.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation also reviews and recommends  nominations for the state and national registers of historic places.

Summary of Bill:  The State Register of Historic Places is renamed the Washington Heritage Register.

Nominations to the Washington Heritage Register are no longer required to comply with standards and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.  Instead, they must only comply with rules adopted under state law, including the criteria set by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.  Nominations to the national register of historic places must still conform to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior=s standards and regulations.

The Advisory Council no longer reviews and recommends nominations for the Washington Heritage Register.  It continues to review and recommend nominations for the national register.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is only an administrative reorganization and will not cost the state any more money.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  David Hansen, Office of Archaeology and History Preservation.