HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2907

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government

Title:  An act relating to fund‑raising efforts for the state legislative building renovation project.

Brief Description:  Encouraging fund‑raising activities on behalf of the state legislative building.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schoesler, Romero, Alexander, Murray, Ogden, Mitchell and Nixon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/7/02, 2/8/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows state officers and state employees to engage in fund‑raising activities for the limited purpose of preservation and restoration of the state legislative building and related educational exhibits and programs.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; McDermott, Schindler, Schmidt and Upthegrove.

Staff:  Marsha Reilly (786‑7135).

Background:

State ethics laws prohibit state officers and state employees from receiving, accepting, taking, seeking, or soliciting gifts.  An exemption exists for the Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee which may accept donations and gifts as well as engage in and encourage fund‑raising activities for the limited purpose of recovering original and historic furnishings.

Summary of  Bill:

State officers and state employees are allowed to engage in fund‑raising activities, including soliciting of charitable gifts, grants, or donations, for the limited purpose of preservation and restoration of the state legislative building and related educational exhibits and programs,  and are exempt from state ethics laws for this purpose.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The fund-raising efforts for the capital renovation project are underway.  The feasibility study indicates a positive public interest and everything should be done to support this interest.  There are many good prospects and this is an opportunity to develop a public-private partnership.  Authority is needed to allow government employees to assist in the fund-raising effort.  Without this authority, the fund-raising campaign will fail.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Schoesler, prime sponsor; David Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society; and Joe Taller and Leavitt White, Private Financing Advisory Committee.