HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6372

As Amended by the House

BYSenators Pullen, Talmadge and McCaslin; by request of Department of Natural Resources and Statute Law Committee

Correcting obsolete statutory references involving natural resources.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; Baugher, Chandler, Hankins, O'Brien, Peery and Walk.

House Staff:Ken Conte (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1979 the office of the Code Reviser began the process of cleaning up obsolete references in Washington statutes.  Legislation often devolves powers onto newly created agencies or transfers powers from one agency to another but does not amend every section to refer to the proper agency. 

The Division of Forestry of the Department of Conservation and Development, the Board of State Land Commissioners, the State Forest Board, and all state sustained yield forest committees were abolished in 1957 and their powers and duties were transferred to the newly created Board of Natural Resources and Department of Natural Resources.  In addition, certain powers and duties of the Director of Conservation and Development and the Capital Committee were also transferred.  The Board of Natural Resources was directed to perform the appraisal, appeal, approval, and hearing functions.

While the powers and duties were transferred some years ago, numerous references to these now nonexistent entities still exist in statute today.

SUMMARY:

References to obsolete agencies are corrected and replaced, as appropriate, with references to the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Natural Resources, or the Commissioner of Public Lands.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Terry Wilson, Office of the Code Reviser (provided information).

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This is a technical bill which corrects numerous obsolete references in the Revised Code of Washington.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.