SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5843

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources & Parks, February 11, 2015

Title: An act relating to outdoor recreation.

Brief Description: Concerning outdoor recreation.

Sponsors: Senators Ranker, Parlette, Pearson, Rolfes, Hewitt, Litzow, Conway, Hasegawa and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources & Parks: 2/11/15 [DP-WM].

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Pearson, Chair; Dansel, Vice Chair; Hatfield, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Hewitt, McAuliffe and Warnick.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: No Child Left Inside Grant Program. In 2007 the Legislature established a grant program to provide funding for outdoor education and recreation programs by agencies, nonprofits, and school and after-school programs. This program has become known as the no child left inside grant program. The Director of the State Parks and Recreation Commission, in cooperation with an advisory committee, was charged with establishing grant priorities while considering factors such as:

• reduction of dropout rates;

• use of natural-resources based curriculum;

• contribution to health lifestyles through recreation and nutrition; and

• ongoing program evaluation and assessment.

The 2007 operating budget provided $1.5 million to the grant program. In 2008, 26 grants were awarded from that appropriation.

Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation. In February 2014, the Governor issued Executive Order 14-01 which established the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation (Task Force). The Task Force was directed to develop an action plan and recommendations on topics to include the management, transformation, and development of Washington's outdoor recreation assets and programs. The Task Force met throughout the interim, with plans and recommendations submitted in the fall.

Summary of Bill: The list of considerations that must be considered in setting priorities for the no child left inside grant program is changed to include programs that use veterans for at least 50 percent of program implementation or administration.

The Governor must appoint and maintain a senior policy advisor to focus on promoting, increasing participation in, and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The following appropriations are made:

• $1 million in GF-S is appropriated for the no child left inside grant program; and

• $150,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 and 2017 to the Office of the Governor.

Appropriation: $1.3 million GF-S in total for the biennium.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is the product of a great deal of work over the interim by the Blue Ribbon Task Force. It represents the opportunity to increase outdoor recreation in the state, and continue work on past efforts to get more kids outside. The no child left inside program has a proven track record, and the policy position in the Governor's office will be a valuable asset. This is more than just recreation, the outdoors is a huge economic driver and can change people's lives for the better. Outdoor experiences make people want to protect natural resources. There are many other ideas discussed by the Task Force not reflected in this bill.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Ranker, prime sponsor; Senator Parlette; Doug Levy, WA Recreation and Park Assn., Recreational Boating Assn. of WA; Martin LeBlanc, IslandWood; Marc Berejka, REI; Oak Rankin, Darrington; Joshua Brandon, Project Rebirth-Veterans; Carl Burke, Fish NW, NW Sportsfishing Assn., Puget Sound Anglers; Jennifer McNamara, Dept. of Health; Daniel Farber, State Parks; Peter Schrappen, NW Marine Trade Assn.; Courtney Abner, Seattle; Becca Polglase, Mountaineers; Terry Kohl, Backcountry Horsemen of WA.