HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1132

Relating to the capitol furnishings

preservation committee.

Brief Title                              Hearing Date: 1/29/99

Reps. Romero, Skinner                    Staff:  Scott MacColl

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7106

BACKGROUND:

There is currently no committee or group that has charge of historical furniture on the capitol campus.  Historic furnishings in the capitol campus buildings have been lost, moved, or sold to former elected officials.  All furniture, fixtures, and artwork are currently subject to authority of the Department of General Administration, and subject to general administration surplus procedures.

Current practice under these procedures allows for the sale of surplus property to state elected officials unless an item valued at less than direct buy limit and declared surplus of a personal nature, which in some way depicts or represents the office in which they have served, may be sold to an elected official after leaving office at private sale as used equipment.

SUMMARY:

Establishes the Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee to recover and preserve existing original and historic furnishings of the state capitol group, and prevent future loss of historic furnishings.  The committee is also to review and advise future remodeling and restoration projects pertaining to historic furniture. 

Grants the Capital Furnishings Preservation committee the authority to decide whether furniture over 50 years old is a historic furnishing or surplus items.  Authority extends to temple of justice, and statewide elected official offices in the legislative building.

Committee membership is defined as: one member from each party to be appointed by their respective caucus, and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives; one member from each party to be appointed by their respective caucus, and the Secretary of the Senate; the Governor or the Governor=s designee; the Lieutenant Governor or the Lieutenant Governor=s designee; a representative from the Office of the Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and Insurance Commissioner; a representative from the State Supreme Court; a representative from the Washington State Historical Society, the Department of General Administration, and the Thurston County Planning Council, each appointed by the Governor; and three private citizens, appointed by the Governor.

State capitol group is defined as the buildings on the capitol campus.  Historic furnishings are defined to include furniture, fixtures and artwork over 50 years old. 

Legislation includes an intent section which states that historic furnishings that illustrate the history of the state should be maintained and preserved for the people of the state.  It is also stated that the purpose of the act is to increase the awareness of the pubic and state employees about the significance of the furnishings within the state capitol campus buildings as envisioned by the original architects.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.