HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1916

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                  Natural Resources & Parks

Title:  An act relating to the establishment of a stewardship account for state-owned wildlife habitat, natural areas, parks, and other recreation sites.

Brief Description:  Adopting the state lands stewardship act.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Belcher, Fraser, Wang, Phillips and Anderson; by request of Interagency for Outdoor Recreation.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, March 4, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 6 members:  Representatives Belcher, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Dellwo; Fraser; Hargrove; and Sheldon.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Beck, Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Morton; and Wynne.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7129).

Background:  The 1990 supplemental operation budget directed the interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation to conduct a study of the operation and maintenance needs of state-owned habitat and natural areas, parks, and other state-owned recreational sites.  The study was submitted to the Legislature on December 15, 1990.

The study found that there are significant shortfalls in operation and maintenance funding.  A one-time catch-up expenditure of $39.5 million is required to repair facilities and roads, and to replace equipment which has exceeded its planned life cycle.  There is also a need to increase annual operation and maintenance funding by $10.9 million to prevent future backlogs from occurring, and to properly care for new lands acquired during the 1989-91 biennium.

Summary of Bill:  The State Lands Stewardship Account is created.  Moneys in the account must be used exclusively to support operations and maintenance costs associated with owning and managing resources.

Funding of basic stewardship needs is a priority over needs related to resource improvement, human use management, or administration.

Agencies eligible to receive funds from the account include the departments of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Natural Resources, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 21, 1991.

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

Testimony For:  Agencies need additional funds to maintain existing properties and existing facilities.  Agencies are required to manage more and more natural conservation area lands and recreation lands.  The State needs to protect its investments in public lands.  The State needs a stable funding source for recreation and conservation lands.  The State must preserve lands for operation and maintenance needs.  Adequate funding for maintenance is essential for weed control, such as purple loosestrife and spartina.

Testimony Against:  The real estate excise tax is contrary to the position of the Washington Association of Realtors.  Over the last year, real estate excise taxes are the fastest growing source for revenue.

The tax could keep first time and low-income home buyers out of the housing market.

Witnesses:  Bob Wilder, Director, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (in Favor); Stan Biles, Department of Natural Resources (in favor); Curt Smitch, Director, Department of Wildlife (in favor); Cleve Pinnix, Deputy Director, State Parks and Recreation Commission (in favor); Maggie Coon, Nature Conservancy (in favor); Jeff Parsons, Audubon Society (in favor); Joe LaTourrette, Washington Recreation and Wildlife Coalition (in favor); Lynn Hudson, Washington Association of Realtors (supports policy); and John Soine, Realtor, (opposed).