Title: An act relating to modifying the legislative youth advisory council.

Brief Description: Modifying the legislative youth advisory council.

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

Brief History: Passed House: 2/05/07, 89-6.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/15/07, 3/26/07 [DPA-WM].

Ways & Means: 4/02/07 [DPA(EDU), w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Clements, Eide, Hewitt, Hobbs, Kauffman, Oemig and Rasmussen.

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hobbs, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller and Tom.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Honeyford, Parlette and Schoesler.

Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: In 2005, the Legislature established the Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council to examine issues of importance to youth and to advise the Legislature on these issues and related legislation. The council is comprised of 22 members between the ages of 14-18, who serve for two years. Each of the two major caucuses in the Senate and House of Representatives appoints five of the members, and the Governor appoints two. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction administers the council. The council can meet between three and six times a year, hold up to two public hearings, and conduct educational seminars for its members. It must report annually on its activities and any recommendations for legislation. The Legislative Youth Advisory Council expires June 30, 2007.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Proposed Striking Amendment as Heard in Committee (Early Learning & K-12 Education): The structure, duties, administration, and expiration of the Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council are changed.

Nine regional councils are created with the same boundaries as the nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs). Each regional council must consist of at least five but no more than nine members who, at the time of appointment, are students age 14 to 18. By July 2, 2007, and annually thereafter, students may apply to the program by completing an application form and submitting the form to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is encouraged to put the application forms on-line. Students are encouraged to seek a letter of recommendation from a local state legislator to submit with the application. The Lieutenant Governor will select the new council members. Each regional council must select a chair from among its members. Regional council members will not receive per diem; however, they will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

The duties of the regional council duties are as follows: (1) meet three times a year at the educational service district within the region to discuss policy issues of importance to youth. Each regional council must consider conducting at least some of the meetings via the K-20 telecommunications network. Councils are encouraged to invite local state legislators to participate in the meetings. Each regional council is encouraged to poll other students in order to get a broad perspective on the various issues. The regional councils are encouraged to use technology to conduct the polling, including the council's website, if the council has a website; (2) advise the Legislature on proposed and pending legislation and policy matters relating to youth; (3) select one member to attend a state meeting to present information to the Lieutenant Governor and members of the Legislature. The presentation could include proposals that a legislator could subsequently have drafted as a bill; and (4) accept (but not solicit) grants and donations.

Educational service districts must provide the administration, coordination, and facilitation assistance for the regional meetings. Each educational service district must consider creating a website for the regional council on the website of the educational service district and is encouraged to conduct outreach to publicize the program.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor will provide the administration, coordination, and facilitation assistance for the state meeting. This section expires June 30, 2009, unless the Legislature acts to extend the program.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED STRIKING AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Early Learning & K-12 Education): The size of the regional committees is increased from a maximum of nine student members to a maximum of 12 student members. Instead of the Lieutenant Governor selecting the council members, the youth councils will appoint an application review committee from among the council members to select the new council members each year. The Lieutenant Governor will notify the new council members of their selection. The only travel covered will be for the state meeting. Each of the ESDs are encouraged to work with private and non-profit youth organizations to conduct outreach to students and to promote the program. The Lieutenant Governor will have assistance from the ESDs to facilitate the state meeting.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Involvement with a youth council is a very positive activity for the students and the adults involved. There is value in engaging and connecting our young people in civics in this way. Having the Lieutenant Governor involved with this program will increase the viability of the program. Expanding to regional councils will increase the number of students who can participate and permit a broader perspective from individuals across the state to be shared. Having been involved in a legislative youth advisory council, I know the positive experiences this can provide.

Persons Testifying (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Representative Upthegrove, prime sponsor; Brad Owen, Lieutenant Governor; Tucker Cholvin, 1st Legislative District Youth Advisory Council; Norm Wisner, Association of Educational Service Districts.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): None.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): No one.