HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 329

BYRepresentatives 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 REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

FEBRUARY 5, 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 8 members.  Three members are elected, 2 are appointed by the Governor, and 3 are ex officio members.  The 3 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:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The membership of the State Conservation Commission is expanded to 10 members (from 8 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.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The original bill designates the director of the Department of Natural Resources as a member of the Conservation Commission;  the substitute designates the Commissioner of Public Lands instead.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Ron Juris, State 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 Association would then be needed to keep proper representation of the districts.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.