CAPAA is a small, cabinet-level state agency comprised of three staff and 12 commissioners representing the geographic and cultural diversity of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (ANHPI) constituency of Washingtonians. Its mission is to improve the well-being of ANHPI’s living in Washington State by identifying and examining issues impacting them. Its role is to advise the Governor, state legislature, and state agencies on services, programming, and changes to law. Together with staff, Commissioners work in partnership with communities and state leaders to respond to public concerns and bring about positive, long-term solutions to issues impacting ANHPI communities.
As part of their duties, they are required to attend public board meetings occurring around the state, report on public engagement activities, and comply with state public disclosure & ethics requirements. Commissioners are also expected to participate in at least one of the following CAPAA committees: Civil Rights & Immigration; Economic Development; Health & Human Services; and Education. Commissioners may also be asked to serve in one or more legislatively mandated state committees, work groups or task forces.
Commissioners are appointed by the Governor to serve three-year terms and may serve up to three terms. In making such appointments, the governor shall give due consideration to recommendations submitted to him or her by the commission (RCW 43.117.040). The governor may also consider nominations of members made by the various Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations in the state. The governor shall consider nominations for membership based upon maintaining a balanced distribution of ethnic, geographic, sex, age, and occupational representation, where practicable.
Applications to serve open March 15, 2023 and must be received no later than April 30, 2023.