SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESHB 1314

                             AS OF MARCH 25, 1991

Brief Description:  Creating the natural resource worker project.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, Spanel, Wilson, R. Johnson, Kremen, Braddock, H. Sommers, Morris, R. King, Sheldon, Hargrove, Belcher, Basich and Jacobsen).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Traci Anderson (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates:March 27, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Timber harvest levels, particularly on federal lands, are expected to decrease significantly.  This will adversely impact the state generally and timber communities specifically.

The estimated job losses resulting from the reduced harvest level vary significantly.  The Governor's Office estimates the direct and indirect job losses at 20,000; the House Timber Task Force estimated the job losses at 26,000.

Training and retraining programs, most of which are administered by the state Department of Employment Security and funded through the federal Job Training Partnership Act, can benefit timber-dependent communities.

SUMMARY:

The Natural Resource Worker Project is established to provide jobs for dislocated timber workers.  The project is administered by the state Employment Security Department.  The Department of Personnel shall approve the project.

The project is designed to establish training and employment opportunities for dislocated timber workers to obtain entry level jobs in the state Departments of Ecology, Fisheries, Natural Resources, Wildlife, and the state Parks and Recreation Commission.  The project is contingent upon the availability of federal funding, or an appropriation from the state general fund.

The agencies participating in the project shall provide an annual report to the state Legislature.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available