SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1012
As of March 14, 2025
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, Reed, Macri, Cortes, Doglio, Gregerson, Ortiz-Self, Simmons, Street, Pollet, Fey, Duerr, Berg, Ormsby, Lekanoff, Parshley, Reeves and Hill; by request of Women's Commission.
Brief History: Passed House: 1/30/25, 77-19.
Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: 3/14/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes the Washington State Women's Commission to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources for the benefit of the commission.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS
Staff: William Bridges (786-7312)
Background:

Women's Commission. Established in 2018 within the Office of the Governor, the Washington State Women's Commission (Commission) is a nine-member body whose members are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. The Commission is intended to address issues relevant to the problems and needs of women, such as domestic violence, childcare, child support, sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, equal compensation and job pathways opportunities in employment, and the specific needs of women of color. Among its duties, the Commission must provide resource and referral information to agencies and the public and hold public hearings to gather input on issues related to the unique problems and needs of women.

 

The Commission is authorized to receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources that are made for the use or benefit of the Commission.

 

Ethics Laws. State laws regulate the ethics of state employees, including provisions that prohibit the request and receipt of money and gifts, with exceptions. Several categories of employees and agencies have been given explicit permission to solicit gifts, grants, or donations to further their agency missions, without running afoul of any ethics laws, for example: 

  • Conservation Commission;
  • Office of Equity;
  • Tourism Marketing Authority;
  • Veteran's Conservation Corps; and 
  • Washington Climate Corps Network.
Summary of Bill:

Authorizing the Washington State Women's Commission to Solicit Gifts. The Commission is authorized to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources for the benefit of the Commission.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  The bill creates parity with some other agencies and commissions that already have the authority to solicit gifts. The bill will allow the Women's Commission to seek partners and sponsorships for events that engage women and girls. The bill is based on legal advice received by the Commission. 
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Jamila Taylor, Prime Sponsor; Samantha Grono, Washington State Women's Commission; Kathleen Drew, Washington State Women's Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.