Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 1079

Brief Description:  Specifying how state buildings are named.

Sponsors:  Representatives Romero, Hankins, Haigh, Miloscia, Dickerson, McDermott, Kenney and Edwards.

Brief Summary of Bill

$New and existing buildings, public rooms, or spaces on state capitol grounds are named or renamed by the State Capitol Committee based on recommendations by the Director of General Administration and the Capital Campus Design Advisory Committee.

Hearing Date:  1/18/02

Staff:  Marsha Reilly (786‑7135).

Background:

There are no statutory provisions relating to naming state buildings.

The State Capitol Committee, with the assistance of the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee, is responsible for fully or partially erecting permanent and temporary buildings, excavating such buildings, or making other temporary or permanent improvements on the state capitol grounds.  The Department of General Administration is responsible for the proper care, heating, lighting, and repair of the buildings on the state capitol grounds.

The John A. Cherberg Building, the Joel Pritchard Building, and the Irv Newhouse Building were all renamed by Senate Resolution, and the John L. O'Brien Building was renamed through House Resolution.  Other buildings have been designated according to the predominant tenant by the State Capitol Committee upon completion of construction, including the General Administration Building, the Archives and Records Center, the Employment Security Building, the Insurance Building, and the Transportation Building.  Other buildings have not been officially named and are referred to by functional names, such as Office Building Two (OB‑2), the Executive Mansion, the Visitor Center, and the Greenhouse (or the Conservatory).  Most recently, the State Capitol Committee renamed the former Olympia Federal Building as the Dolliver Building after Justice James Dolliver.

Summary of Bill:

New and existing buildings, public rooms, or spaces on state capitol grounds may be named or renamed only by the State Capitol Committee based on the recommendation of the Director of General administration with the advice of the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee.

Existing buildings  may only be renamed after a substantial renovation or change in predominant tenancy.  The names on the facades of the state capitol group shall not be removed.

New or existing buildings may be named or renamed after:

  1) an individual significant in Washington history;

  2) the purpose of the building;

  3) the single or predominant tenant of the building;

  4) a natural place in Washington;

  5) a Native American tribe located in Washington;

  6) a group of people or type of person; or

  7) any other appropriate person consistent with the above criteria as recommended by the Director of General Administration.

An existing room or space may only be renamed after a substantial renovation.  New or existing public rooms or spaces may be named or renamed after:

  1) an individual significant in Washington history;

  2) the single or predominant tenant of the building;

  3 a natural place in Washington;

  4) a Native American tribe located in Washington;

  5) a group of people or type of person; or

  6) any other appropriate person consistent with the above criteria as recommended by the Director of General Administration.

In naming or renaming buildings, rooms and spaces, the Capitol Committee must consider any disparity that exists with respect to the gender of persons after whom buildings, rooms, and spaces are named.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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