BILL REQ. #:  H-1383.1 

Read first time 01/31/2007.   Referred to Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a legislative gift center; and adding a new chapter to Title 44 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that Washington is committed to economic development and supporting the tourism industry, and that economic development is achieved by promoting the state and the goods produced around the state. The legislature further finds that tourism is encouraged providing a memorable experience and an opportunity for visitors to take something back home with them to remind them of this experience. There are many visitors every day to the legislative building, including tourists, school children, and people from around the state visiting the state capitol. These visitors offer an opportunity for the state to showcase its products and history. Therefore, the legislature finds that a gift center in the legislative building would be an appropriate response to this opportunity, and further, that such a gift center could provide a source of revenue to help fund the oral history program and to pay for the restoration and repurchase of historical capitol furnishings.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The legislative gift center committee is created, consisting of the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the director of the office of legislative facilities, and one member from each of the two major caucuses in the senate and the house of representatives.
     (2)(a) The senate members of the committee shall be appointed by the senate majority leader.
     (b) The house of representatives members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
     (3) Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
     (4) Members terms shall end July 1st of odd-numbered years.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The legislative gift center committee, directly or by contract, may establish a gift center in the legislative building for the retail sale of products bearing the state seal, Washington state souvenirs, other Washington products, and other products approved by the committee. Wholesale purchase of products for sale at the legislative gift center is not subject to competitive bidding.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The legislative gift center committee shall:
     (a) Approve the method by which the gift center is established;
     (b) Select the location for the gift center in the legislative building; and
     (c) Approve products for sale at the gift center.
     (2) The legislative gift center committee may conduct other activities related to the ongoing operation and promotion of the gift center.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   (1) The legislative gift center account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All moneys received by the gift center from the sale of products bearing the state seal, Washington state souvenirs, other Washington products, and other products shall be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the operations and maintenance of the gift center, including the purchase of inventory, and for other purposes as provided in this section. Only the director of the office of legislative facilities or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
     (2) Net profits, after expenses of the gift center, shall be deposited as provided in this subsection:
     (a) Fifty percent in the oral history, state library, and archives account created in RCW 43.07.380; and
     (b) Fifty percent in the capitol furnishings preservation committee account created in RCW 27.48.040.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 1 through 5 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 44 RCW.