SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5389

                    As of January 25, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the office of archaeology and historic preservation.

Brief Description:  Empowering the state historical society.

Sponsors:  Senators Wojahn, Winsley, Goings, Franklin, Rasmussen, Thibaudeau and Fraser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/28/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  A bill in the 1998 session proposed the creation of a Cultural Resources Department.  Questions that arose as a result of that bill prompted an interim study on the most effective location for the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) in state government.

The main duties of OAHP are to administer the federal investment tax credit program, to award federal grant money to certified local governments, to certify local governments, to conduct statutory administrative reviews, to make recommendations to the National Register of Historic Places, to maintain the State Register of Historic Sites, to inventory state-owned and nonstate-owned properties of archaeological or historic significance, and to provide technical assistance, education and outreach.

The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) houses OAHP as one of 12 offices under the local government division, one of the department=s seven divisions.  In 1986, OAHP, the State Fire Policy Board and the Department of Emergency Management were moved into the predecessor of CTED.  Both the State Fire Policy Board and the Department of Emergency Management have since been extracted from CTED, going to the Washington State Patrol and the Military Department, respectively.   Until the third week of January 1999, the state of Washington had not had a State Historic Preservation Officer for approximately three years.

The Washington State Historical Society, together with the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, are private organizations controlled by boards of trustees.  They pre-existed their statutory designation in 1983 as trustees of the state.

Summary of Bill:  The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is removed from CTED and placed in the Washington State Historical Society.  The director of the society appoints the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on September 1, 1999.