Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
SB 6385
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. |
Brief Description: Extending the tenure of the habitat and recreation lands coordinating group.
Sponsors: Senators Parlette, Fraser, Morton, Ranker and Shin.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/17/12
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) administers a number of grant and policy programs relating to natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation. These programs include: the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board; the Salmon Recovery Funding Board; the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office; the Invasive Species Council; and the Habitat and Recreational Land Coordinating Group (Lands Group).
In 2007 the Legislature established the Lands Group consisting of representatives of the RCO, the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Lands Group also includes participation by representatives of appropriate stakeholder groups invited to participate by the Director of the RCO.
The Lands Group has been assigned specific statutory duties. These include:
reviewing agency land acquisition and disposal plans to help ensure statewide coordination;
producing a forecast of land acquisition and disposal plans;
convening an annual forum for agencies to coordinate near term acquisition and disposal plans;
developing recommendations for geographic information systems mapping and acquisition and disposal recordkeeping; and
developing an approach for monitoring the success of acquisitions.
The Lands Group is set to expire July 31, 2012.
Summary of Bill:
The expiration date of authority that created the the Habitat and Recreational Land Coordinating Group (Lands Group) is extended from July 31, 2012, until July 31, 2017. In addition, the Lands Group is directed to prioritize specified activities if it does not have the resources to fulfill all of its statutory duties.
The state agencies that participate in the Lands Group are directed to do so within existing resources.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.