House Bill 1012 would add explicit solicitation authority to the Washington State Women’s Commission’s statutory powers, allowing the commission to seek gifts, grants and endowments to support events and programmatic partnerships, witnesses told the State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee.

Connor Schiff briefed the committee that the commission is already permitted to receive gifts and grants; HB 1012 would permit solicitation as well. Representative Taylor, the prime sponsor, said the change brings parity with other state commissions and helps the commission leverage partnerships for programs such as civic‑engagement events for school‑age girls. Leah White, deputy director of the Women’s Commission, and Vicki Lo, commission chair, described the change as budget‑neutral and a legal risk‑mitigation suggested by the commission’s assistant attorney general to enable sponsorships that underwrite event costs such as busing and lunches for participants.

Committee members asked whether private funds could pass through to outside organizations. The commission’s chair, Vicki Lo, clarified that solicited funds would be used to support commission events or program elements and would not be used as an unrestricted pass‑through to fund outside organizations’ general operations.

The committee closed the hearing after testimony and follow‑up questions. No formal action on the bill was recorded in the hearing transcript.