S-226                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5055

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senators Owen and Pullen

Read first time 1/14/87 and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to leasing state lands for use by ham radio operators; and adding new sections to chapter 79.01 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 79.01 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature finds that amateur radio groups, commonly known as ham radio operators, provide important communication services to the general public and to local,  state, and federal agencies.  By leasing state lands to ham radio operators, the legislature intends to help ham radio operators perform their many valuable public services, including but not limited to, supporting law enforcement personnel, aiding search and rescue efforts, providing an emergency communication network, and helping with disaster relief support.  The legislature recognizes the valuable services performed by ham radio operators and intends to facilitate the continued performance of these services by permitting the lease of state lands at nominal costs for such public services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 79.01 RCW to read as follows:

          The department may lease state lands to ham radio operators providing public services.  The department shall charge an annual fee of ten dollars for use of the site by a ham radio operator.  The department shall develop guidelines, which the department may adopt by rule, for leasing sites on state lands to ham radio operators providing public services and for providing a preference where possible for such use by ham radio operators.