HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5032


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:
April 6, 2007

Title: An act relating to the Vancouver national historic reserve.

Brief Description: Concerning the Vancouver national historic reserve.

Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Pridemore and Zarelli).

Brief History:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 3/19/07, 3/22/07 [DP];

Appropriations: 3/28/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/6/07, 94-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Affirms that the Washington State Historic Society is the state's designated partner representative for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve.
  • Instructs the Washington State Historic Society to develop and submit operating and capital budget requests to the Office of Financial Management.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt and Strow.

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 32 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, P. Sullivan and Walsh.

Staff: Alex MacBain (786-7288).

Background:

The Vancouver National Historic Reserve (Reserve) was created by Congress in the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996. It encompasses a 366-acre parcel in southwest Washington including the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Pearson Airfield and Air Museum, Officer's Row, Vancouver Barracks, and a section of the Columbia River waterfront. The Reserve is managed by four designated partners, including the state of Washington, the National Park Service, the United States Army, and the City of Vancouver.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature affirms that the state is a partner in the Reserve and will take an active role in supporting the protection, preservation, interpretation, and rehabilitation of the Reserve. The Washington State Historical Society (Society) is the state's designated partner representative for the Reserve. The Society is directed to participate in coordination meetings and in the development of plans and policies associated with the Reserve, partner with Washington State University and other agencies to manage the Center for Columbia River History, to develop and submit operating and capital budget requests, and to oversee the management of all funds appropriated by the state for the Reserve.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Agriculture & Natural Resources)

(In support) Washington was an original signatory on the Reserve's charter 11 years ago when it was created by Congress, but the various state agencies have squabbled ever since as to which one is the proper representative of the state to this unusually significant aggregation of historical resources. All state agencies, along with the federal and local partners, agree that the Washington State Historical Society is the proper designated representative.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations)

(In support) We appreciate that the House of Representatives incorporated the impact of this bill in its adopted budget for the Historical Society. This bill will help take the relationship between Washington and the other reserve partners to a higher level.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (Agriculture & Natural Resources) Senator Pridemore, prime sponsor; Mark Brown, City of Vancouver, Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust; and Dave Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society.

Persons Testifying: (Appropriations) Dave Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society; and Mark Brown, City of Vancouver and Vancouver National Reserve Trust.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Agriculture & Natural Resources) None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Appropriations) None.