FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6000

                           C 51 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing the state parks and recreation commission to secure abandoned vessels.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Talmadge, Winsley and Oke; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

BACKGROUND:

The Parks and Recreation Commission manages numerous marine facilities used by boaters.  Some vessel owners have abandoned their vessels at park facilities.  Others have left their vessels at park facilities for much longer than allowed and have failed to pay the required moorage charges.  Sometimes these abandoned vessels and vessels left without authorization have sunk or resulted in gasoline or oil discharges into marine waters.

SUMMARY:

The Parks and Recreation Commission is authorized to "secure" vessels located on park property without authorization; present a nuisance or threat to the environment, public health or park property; or are in danger of sinking.   

The commission is authorized to hold a "secured" vessel until the vessel owner makes arrangements with the commission for the vessel's removal and pays the commission for securing the vessel, back moorage fees, and other amounts owed.  If the vessel is not claimed within a certain period, the vessel is considered abandoned and the commission is authorized to sell it to the highest bidder at a public sale.  The commission must provide detailed notices of vessel securing and sale.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    47   0

House     94   0    (House amended)

Senate    45   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994