SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2907

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 21, 2002

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 & Local Government:  2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Keiser, Kline and Swecker.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

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 exempt from the state ethics laws for the purpose of engaging 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  We can maintain our "margin of excellence" if we can enlist private funding.  This bill permits solicitation of those private funds.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Mark Schoesler, prime sponsor; Leavitt White.