HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 329

BYHouse Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Bristow, Prince, Vekich, Nealey, Baugher, Rayburn, Grant, Madsen, Rasmussen and Sprenkle)

Enlarging the membership of the state conservation commission.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (14)

     Signed by Representatives Rayburn, Chair; Kremen, Vice Chair; Baugher, Bristow, Brooks, Chandler, Doty, Grant, Holm, Jacobsen, McLean, Moyer, Nealey and Rasmussen.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 18, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The State Conservation Commission is required to assist the supervisors of conservation districts, review and coordinate district programs, review district agreements with other entities, and secure the cooperation and assistance of the federal government and state agencies in the work of the districts.  The commission must also recommend the inclusion in state budgets and appropriations the funds necessary to finance the activities of the commission and the districts.  The commission administers funds appropriated for such purposes.

The commission consists of eight members.  Three members are elected, two are appointed by the governor, and three are ex officio members.  The three elected members are elected by the district supervisors at their annual state-wide meeting.  The following are ex officio members:  the director of Ecology; the director of Agriculture; and the dean of the College of Agriculture at Washington State University.

SUMMARY:

The membership of the State Conservation Commission is expanded to ten members (from eight members).  Added to the commission are the following ex officio members:  the commissioner of Public Lands, and the president of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Ron Juris, Washington Association of Conservation Districts.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The addition of a representative of the Department of Natural Resources on the commission will permit a better exchange of information with that agency.  The addition of a person from the Washington Association of Conservation Districts would then be needed to keep proper representation of the districts.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.