HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5275

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to the Lewis and Clark bicentennial advisory committee.

Brief Description:  Regarding Lewis and Clark bicentennial advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Senators Bauer, Snyder, Zarelli, Eide, Sellar, Deccio, Haugen, Franklin, Hargrove, Patterson, Heavey, Rasmussen, Shin, Kohl‑Welles, Fairley, Fraser, Prentice, Goings, T. Sheldon, Costa, Wojahn, Spanel, Jacobsen, Roach and Hale.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

State Government:  3/24/99, 3/30/99 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Creates the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Advisory Committee to plan and promote the bicentennial.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives McMorris, Republican Co-Chair; Romero, Democratic Co-Chair; Campbell, Republican Vice Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Dunshee; Haigh; Lambert and D. Schmidt.

Staff:  Scott MacColl (786-7106).

Background:

The years 2005-06 represent the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition reaching Washington state.  The state is currently promoting the expedition through the Lewis and Clark Trail Committee, which was created by the Legislature in 1996 to commemorate Lewis and Clark's epic exploration to the northwest United States.

 The Washington State Historical Society is designated to coordinate its planning efforts with the Parks and Recreation Commission, and has funding for FY 98 to promote and plan for the bicentennial in an informal manner.

Summary of Bill:

The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Advisory Committee is created under the auspices of the Washington State Historical Society.  An account is created in the State Treasury, and money may only be spent after appropriation.

The committee will have fifteen members made up of six citizens appointed by the Governor, three of which must be enrolled members of a Washington Indian tribe; the president of the Washington State Historical Society; the director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission; the secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation; the director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development; four members of the Legislature, one from each caucus of each chamber as designated by each caucus; and the chair of the Lewis and Clark Trail Advisory Committee.

The committee is authorized to coordinate and lead the observance of the bicentennial.  The committee also has the option to perform certain duties including fund raising, revenue generating activities, and soliciting gifts. The Washington State Historical Society is designated as administrative support for the committee. The committee sunsets in June of 2007.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial will come directly through the Clarkston/Lewiston area.  If funding were available, a interpretive center would be built, but help is needed to continue.  Vancouver is the largest city on the Lewis and Clark trail.  This is a very competitive endeavor, and important to the state.  The state needs a cultural tourism perspective to ensure success.  The Washington State Historical Society looks forward to being a part of the celebration as the staff support agency.  The committee would represent a continuation of the teamwork of the five agencies already involved.  The advisory committee would give the necessary importance to the celebration, and give a voice with the state congressional leaders.  Since the November Ken Burns documentary on Lewis and Clark, the State of Oregon has seen a 28 percent rise in tourism.  Tourists to Washington are astounded that there are no markers within the state to commemorate the event.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rick Davis, Port of Clarkston; David DiCesare, City of Vancouver; Dave Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society; Judy Lorenzo, Department of Transportation; and Rex Ziak, Washington State Lewis and Clark Trail Committee.