The Washington State Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA) serves as the official state representative of the African American community—advising the Governor, Legislature and state agencies regarding policy development and implementation. The Commission also works to establish relationships with local governments and private sector organizations that promote equal opportunity for African Americans.
The Commission has one paid Executive Director and one paid Executive Assistant who work full-time for the Commission. The Governor appoints the Executive Director who serves at the Governor's pleasure. The Commission also has a nine-member volunteer Commission Board appointed by the Governor.
Washington State Commission on African American Affairs
(CAAA)
Public
Structural Relationships
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Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor) -
Washington State Commission on African American Affairs
(CAAA)
Information Set
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Observations
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(September 1, 2020) - Summary
Board members more tangibly sensed how the State hiring freeze had begun to seize up the agency, and virtual engagements with “communities of color” were scheduled.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(August 4, 2020) - Summary
Another WSLCB staffer prepared to depart, proposed quality control testing rules would be revised, and the cannabis social equity and marijuana odor task forces began to take shape.
The Week Ahead
(July 20, 2020)
Besides the WSLCB Board Meeting, the Washington State Commission on African Affairs planned to convene and Chelan County Commissioners would consider a hemp moratorium.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(July 2, 2020) - Summary
Board members prepared to take several actions at the following week’s board meeting and learned they would soon be asked to rescind their interim policy on traceability workarounds.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(June 9, 2020) - Summary
Agency leadership discussed the WSLCB’s emerging plans for implementation of HB 2870’s marijuana social equity program and rulemaking timelines were advanced.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(May 26, 2020) - Summary
Members prepared to undertake formal rulemaking at the WSLCB’s first remote board meeting on Wednesday morning and met the agency’s new Policy and Rules Coordinators.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 31, 2020) - Summary
The Governor signed HB 2870, WSLCB’s request legislation establishing a social equity program, competitive grants, and a task force to help open a new cycle of retail licensure.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(March 10, 2020) - Summary
The Board cancelled the March 18th Board Meeting, rescheduled the Quality Control public hearing, and learned about the surprising fate of the agency’s social equity legislation.
WA Senate LBRC - Committee Meeting - Morning
(February 25, 2020) - Summary
Senators heard and moved both WSLCB agency request bills, HB 2826 on marijuana vapor products and HB 2870 on social equity in the cannabis industry.
City of Seattle - Forum - Cannabis Equity in Our Community
(February 22, 2020) - Summary
The City hosted a town hall format event to gather feedback from communities impacted by the war on drugs while providing details on municipal and state equity efforts including HB 2870.