Bill creating ‘Gina Grant Bull Memorial Legislative Page Scholarship Account’ receives governor’s signature
Legislators, along with friends and family of the late House Page Supervisor Gina Grant Bull, gathered in Gov. Jay Inslee's office Tuesday as they watched the governor affix his signature to Senate Bill 5346. Prime-sponsored by Sen. Maureen Walsh, the measure establishes the Gina Grant Bull Memorial Legislative Page Scholarship Account in the custody of the State Treasurer to provide assistance to students applying for the Legislative Page Program, based on need.
Bull, who grew up in Walla Walla, but was an active community leader in Oak Harbor, had served as page director for the Washington House of Representatives, supporting dozens of youth who worked at the state Capitol during session. However, last October, the 57-year-old daughter of the late Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, suffered a sudden massive cerebral hemorrhage and passed away.
Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Camano Island, was the sponsor of the identical House companion measure, House Bill 1194, creating a scholarship program to financially support pages in the Legislature.
“This is an idea that came from Gina herself — a scholarship program that would help provide housing assistance funds for qualified young people who would like to serve as pages in the Legislature, but cannot afford the fee,” said Hayes.
During the legislative session, young people between the ages of 14 and 16 are chosen from throughout the state to serve for one week in the Legislative Page Program. Pages often live with host families in Olympia, some of whom charge between $100 to $175 for the weekly stay.
“Gina saw there are young people across the state who do not have the resources to come to the Capitol and experience this wonderful educational program. So she was working on the concept of a scholarship fund up until she suddenly passed away,” said Hayes.
Hayes says the program doesn't involve taxpayer dollars or money from the state budget. Instead, the bill creates a scholarship fund that could receive private donations to support the page program and assistance for associated housing costs.
“Gina was such a dedicated public servant who wanted to show young people the importance of being involved and understanding our government. I can think of no better way to honor her legacy than a program like this which will encourage young people to become involved in the Legislative Page Program,” added Hayes.
The measure takes effect July 22.
