Washington State Leadership Board.

The Washington State Leadership Board (WSLB), formerly the Association of Washington Generals, is a service organization formed in 1970 by Lieutenant Governor John Cherberg.  The WSLB was recognized in statute by the Legislature in 2005 as a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation.  The purpose of the WSLB is to provide the state a means to formally recognize outstanding service to the state, to bring together individuals to serve as ambassadors for the state, and to expand educational, sports, leadership, and employment opportunities for youth, veterans, and people with disabilities.

The WSLB is governed by a board of directors.  The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and four legislative members serve on the board of directors as ex officio nonvoting members.  The Lieutenant Governor's office may provide technical and financial assistance to the WSLB, including collaboration on the Washington World Fellows Program (WFP) and the Sports Mentoring Program (SMP).

Washington World Fellows Program.  The WFP is a college readiness and study abroad fellowship administered by the Lieutenant Governor in collaboration with the WSLB.

Sports Mentoring Program.  The SMP enables eligible nonprofit community-based organizations to provide opportunities for underserved youth to join sports teams or otherwise participate in area sports.  The goal of the SMP is to support youth in building self-confidence and developing skills and success in personal and educational aspects.  Grants are administered by the WSLB in collaboration with the Lieutenant Governor.

Boundless Washington.  Boundless Washington is an outdoor leadership program for people with disabilities.  Boundless Washington satisfies the terms of the SMP if approved by the WSLB.

Compassion Scholars.  Compassion Scholars organizes trips for delegations of elected officials, community leaders, and high school students from Washington.  These trips are organized by the WSLB.

Special License Plate Fees.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates.  A fee of $40 is charged for an original issue of the special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged upon renewal.  After the costs associated with establishing the special license plates are recovered, all remaining proceeds are distributed to the appropriate special license plate account.

As relevant here:

• up to 25 percent of the proceeds from the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners special license plates goes to the Lieutenant Governor to administer the WFP;
• 75 percent of the proceeds from the Seattle Mariners special license plate goes to the Lieutenant Governor to administer the SMP; and
• 25 percent of the proceeds from the Seattle NHL Hockey special license plate goes to the Lieutenant Governor to administer Boundless Washington.

The WSLB is designated a trustee for the State of Washington, rather than a private nonprofit corporation.  The WSLB must appoint its executive director with the consent of the Lieutenant Governor.  The Lieutenant Governor must provide the WSLB with facilities and administrative support, rather than technical and financial assistance.

The WSLB is made responsible for administering the WFP, SMP, Boundless Washington, and Compassion Scholars.

The WSLB Account is created in the State Treasury.  Moneys may be spent only after appropriation, and only for the purposes provided in the statute.  The WSLB Special License Plate Account is created in the custody of the State Treasurer to receive all receipts from special license plates due to the WSLB.  Moneys may be spent only by the executive director or their designee, and an appropriation is not required.

Moneys collected from special license plate sales that were previously given to the Lieutenant Governor to administer the WFP, the SMP, and Boundless Washington are provided instead to the WSLB.

(In support) This bill will realign the WSLB and help to continue its important mission to reach out to future leaders in underrepresented communities.  The programs run by the WSLB are important and provide access to resources, college preparation, travel, and other lessons for youth.  They equip and support students to break chains of trauma, poverty, and injustice.  The bill removes the WSLB from under the Lieutenant Governor and provides additional oversight to ensure it best accomplishes its mission and goal.  The WSLB is given the same status as the state historical societies.  These changes are necessary in light of an ethics investigation and suspicious financial activity related to the WSLB during a previous administration.

(Opposed) None.

(In support) The bill designates the Washington State Leadership Board (WSLB) as a trustee of the state, the same legal status as the state's two historical societies.  This designation will help ensure that the WSLB operates with an appropriate level of oversight and accountability to address concerns raised from an ethics investigation under the previous administration in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.  The trustee model creates new accountability mechanisms and a more formalized structure while allowing the WSLB to have the flexibility and independence it needs to continue supporting students to break the chains of trauma, poverty, and injustice.  The bill demonstrated bipartisan support in the Senate.

(Opposed) None.