HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2098
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Relations
Title: An act relating to expressly authorizing the women's commission to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources.
Brief Description: Authorizing the women's commission to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources.
Sponsors: Representatives Taylor, Mena, Ryu, Chapman, Simmons, Reed, Ormsby, Macri, Thai, Doglio, Wylie, Reeves and Gregerson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Relations: 1/17/24, 1/19/24 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Allows the Washington State Women's Commission (Commission) to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources for the benefit of the Commission. 
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL RELATIONS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 7 members:Representatives Ramos, Chair; Stearns, Vice Chair; Cheney, Ranking Minority Member; Christian, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gregerson, Low and Mena.
Staff: Connor Schiff (786-7093).
Background:

The Washington State Women's Commission (Commission) addresses issues relevant to the needs of women, including domestic violence, child care, child support, sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, equal compensation and employment, and the specific needs of women of color.  

 

The Commission is permitted to receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources for the benefit of the Commission.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Washington State Women's Commission (Commission) is permitted to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources for the benefit of the Commission.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on April 6, 2024.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on April 6, 2024.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Other similar commissions are allowed to solicit funds.  Allowing the Commission to solicit funds would ensure the Commission's statutory language and powers align with those of similar Commissions.  It would also help the Commission with the Commission's strategic plan and foster public and private partnership.  The commissioners fully support the change.  

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Jamila Taylor, prime sponsor; and Grace Yoo, Quinn Dalan, and Vicki Lowe, Washington State Women's Commission. 
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.