SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6571
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of February 21, 2020
Title: An act relating to expanding powers granted to state historical societies.
Brief Description: Expanding powers granted to state historical societies.
Sponsors: Senators Hunt, Darneille, Zeiger and Wilson, C.; by request of Washington State Historical Society.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/05/20.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)
Background: The Washington State historical societies are made up of the Washington State Historical Society and the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. The governing board includes seven public officials, the Governor, secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and four legislators who serve ex officio. The board appoints its respective director with the consent of the Governor.
Each historical society is designated a trustee for the state to:
collect, catalog, preserve and exhibit materials that demonstrate Washington’s cultural, artistic, and natural history;
operate state museums;
engage in cultural, artistic, and educational activities;
plan for and conduct celebrations of significant events in the history of the state of Washington;
create one or more classes of membership in the society;
engage in appropriate fund-raising activities and sale of various articles for the purposes of the society; and
accept gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property.
The governing boards of the state historical societies shall adopt rules to govern and protect the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds, rents, profits, and income of all such gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises.
Summary of Bill: The powers and duties of the state historical societies are amended to authorize each historical society to provide grants to strengthen cultural and historical organizations statewide in support of organizational capacity building, public programming, educational programming, outreach, collections management, and exhibitions as funding allows.
Each historical society is authorized to adopt rules to carry out their powers and duties under the statute.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.