Brief Description: Modifying the legislative youth advisory council.

Sponsors: By House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Upthegrove, Hudgins, Pedersen, P. Sullivan, Wallace and Morris).

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
In 2005 the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (Council) was established to examine issues of importance to youth, including education, employment, civic engagement, and health. The Council has 22 members. Ten council members are selected by the Senate and appointed by the Secretary of the Senate, and ten members are selected by the House of Representatives and appointed by the Chief Clerk. Two members are appointed by the governor. Members must be between 14 and 18 years of age.

Duties of the Council consist of advising the Legislature on legislation, policy and budget matters relating to youth; advising standing committees, commissions and task forces on issues related to youth; conducting periodic seminars for its members on leadership, government, and the Legislature; and submitting annual reports to the Legislature with any recommendations for legislation. The Council meets between three and six times a year.
The program is administered by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and expires June 30, 2007.

Civic Education Competitions.
Organizations focused on civic engagement often organize competitions for students to promote civic education and responsibility. The competitions can be statewide, regional, national, or even international. Some Washington students who win local competitions have withdrawn from the competitions due to travel costs to attend statewide, regional, national, or international finals.

Summary:

Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
The Legislature finds that the council provides a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to be actively involved in government. The Legislature continues to stress the importance of civics education and supports the type of civic involvement by students exemplified by the legislative youth advisory council.

By July 2, 2007, appointments to the Council are made through an application process, rather than by selection. Interested students may apply by completing an online application and submitting it to the Council. The Council recommends applicants to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for final selection, and the Lieutenant Governor shall notify all applicants of the final selections.

The Council may accept grants and donations from public and private sources to support its activities.

Consideration shall be given to conducting some of the Council's meeting via the K-20 telecommunications network. The Council is encouraged to invite state legislators to participate in the meetings. The Council also is encouraged to poll other students on issues and to use technology to conduct the polling.

The termination date of the Council is extended to June 30, 2009.

Civic Education Competitions.
The Civic Education Travel Grant Program is created to provide travel grants to students participating in statewide, regional, national, or international civic education competitions or events. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall allocate the grants through a competitive program to students who meet the following criteria:

• must be residents of the state;
• must use the grants to fund travel to civic education-based competitions or events; and
• must be under the age of 21 and not yet in receipt of a high school diploma.

Students are encouraged to seek matching funds, in-kind contributions, or other sources of support to supplement their travel expenses.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is authorized to accept gifts, grants, or endowments from public or private sources to support the Civic Education Travel Grant Program.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   89   6
Senate   44   4   (Senate amended)
House   90   5   (House concurred)

Effective: May 2, 2007