HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 1267

                           As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the reconveyance of state forest lands leased for sanitary landfills.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the board of natural resources  to reconvey lands leased to counties used for sanitary    landfills.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Holland, Scott, Beck, Valle, Winsley and Wynne; by request of Department of Natural Resources.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, February 1, 1991, DP;

Passed House, February 18, 1991, 91-3;

Passed Legislature, 91-3.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Belcher, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dellwo; Fraser; Hargrove; Morton; Riley; and Wynne.

Minority Report: Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Sheldon.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough  (786-7196).

Background:  Current statutes allow the Department of Natural Resources to acquire county lands that can be used as state forest lands.  The counties deed such land to the department. The lands are held in trust, protected, managed and administered by the department.  Some of those lands are leased back to the counties for use as a sanitary landfill or transfer station.

Reconveyance of the forest lands back to the county is only allowed in two circumstances:  (1) if the county previously contracted to sell lands to bona fide purchasers before the land was selected by the department; or (2) if the lands are needed by the county for public park use in accordance with the county and state outdoor recreation plans.  In these two situations the department has specific legislative authority to reconvey the forest lands to the county.

Summary of Bill:  The Department may reconvey forest lands which have been leased for use as a sanitary landfill or transfer station back to the county.  A county shall indemnify and not hold the state responsible for any liability that arises related to the land.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This legislation will allow the State to reconvey forest board lands back to the counties.  There are four counties which may be impacted by the legislation.  The counties are King, Callam, Mason and Snohomish.  The State would reconvey the properties at no cost to the counties.  Under current lease agreements the counties have ultimate responsibility for the landfill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Pat McElroy, Department of Natural Resources.