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Published on: 9/1/1998
Last Visited: 2/18/2008
Scott Smith (R-Graham) introduced legislation in 1995 to bar government entities from practicing discrimination or preferences based on race or gender.His bill, HB 1999, stated that, "neither the state of Washington nor any of its political subdivisions or agents shall use race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin as a criterion for either discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting."HB 1999 did not pass the legislature and did not become law.Its language, though, serves as a source for the present text of Initiative 200.Today, Rep.Smith is a co-chairman of the Yes on Initiative 200 Campaign.