House Bill 1012 would permit the Washington State Women's Commission to solicit gifts, grants and endowments; current law allows the commission to receive such funds but not to solicit them, staff told the committee.

Connor Schiff, committee staff, explained that state ethics laws typically restrict state officers from soliciting or accepting gifts but that several government entities have explicit authority. "Currently, the women's commission is permitted to receive gifts, grants, and endowments for the benefit of the commission. House Bill 1012 would allow the commission to also solicit gifts, grants, and endowments," Schiff said.

Representative Taylor, the prime sponsor, said the bill brings parity with other state commissions so the Washington State Women's Commission may pursue public‑private partnerships and sponsorships to support events and programming.

Leah White, deputy director of the Washington State Women's Commission, said the change came from an Assistant Attorney General's suggestion as a legal risk mitigation and gave the example of an upcoming March event for school‑age girls in Thurston County: sponsorships could cover busing and lunches to bring students to the Capitol. Vicki Lowe, commissioner and chair of the commission, said the update is "budget neutral" and would allow the commission to further its strategic priorities through partnerships.

A committee question asked whether private funds could pass through to outside entities. Leah White and Vicki Lowe replied that the bill would not allow the commission to pass private funds to outside organizations; funds would be used to support events or programmatic work the commission runs in partnership with community groups.

No committee action or vote appears in the transcript.