Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council

The Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council is a twenty-two member council created in July 2005 with the purpose of advising the Washington State Legislature on events pertaining to the youth of Washington State.

Washington Legislative Youth Advisory Council

Students ages 14-18 apply to be appointed to LYAC during the summer, and are appointed by a council committee and Washington's Lt. Governor Brad Owen. Each term lasts two years, and members may be reappointed for subsequent two year terms if they remain eligible. Most years, 11 positions will open up, as half of the council will no longer be eligible (mostly due to age requirements).

Duties of the Council

SB 5254, enacted by the legislature in 2005, outlines the council’s duties as follows:

a) Advising the Legislature on proposed and pending legislation, including state budget expenditures and policy matters relating to youth;
b) Advising the standing committees of the Legislature and study commissions, committees and task forces regarding issues relating to youth;
c) Conducting periodic seminars for its members regarding leadership, government, and the Legislature; and
d) Reporting annually by December 1 to the Legislature on its activities, including proposed legislation that implements recommendations of the council.
This council may hold meetings between three to six times a year, and hold up to two public meetings per year. [ [http://ltgov.wa.gov/YouthandCommunities/LYAC/default.html Lt. Governor Brad Owen - Legislative Youth Advisory Council ] ] Washington LYAC must also submit as annual report to the Washington Legislature. [http://ltgov.wa.gov/YouthandCommunities/LYAC/annual%20report%202007.pdf 2007 Annual Report] [http://ltgov.wa.gov/YouthandCommunities/LYAC/Final%20Report%20December%202006.pdf 2006 Annual Report] [http://ltgov.wa.gov/YouthandCommunities/LYAC/firstannualreport.pdf 2005 Annual Report]

LYAC Action Day Priorities

Each year during the Washington Legislative Session, the members of the Washington LYAC come together to meet with various senetors and representative. During Action Day, LYAC members discuss several core issues that they would like to actively pursue and support duing the Legislative session. During the 2008 Legislative Session, LYAC is actively endorsing the following bills:
*HB 2663 and HJR 4225: Proposition to lower the voting age in primary elections to 17 provided that the voter will be 18 by the general election.
*HB 2662 and HJR 4226: Proposition to lower the voting age to 16 in the State of Washington.
*ESHB 1307/SB 6449: Protecting student journalism and the right to free press.
*HB 2424: Discouraging the use of plastic bags in grocery stores.
*HB 2420: Creation of a prgressive carbon tax similar to the ones in Norway, Finland, and the UK.
*HB 2430: Increased punishments to those who market/sell illegal drugs to minors.
*SSB 5013: Placing a cap on annual tuition increases at 5.5% in Washington State.

References

External links

* [http://lyac.leg.wa.gov/ Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council]