HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1317

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Natural Resources & Parks

Title:  An act relating to the state parks' volunteer organizations.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the state parks and recreation commission to enter into cooperative agreements with private nonprofit corporations with regard to state park property and facilities.

Sponsors:  Representatives Pruitt, Ballard, Morton, Sheldon, Jones, Wolfe, Schoesler, R. Johnson, Kessler, Johanson and Chandler.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, February 5, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Pruitt, Chair; R. Johnson, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Stevens, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dunshee; Linville; Schoesler; Sheldon; Thomas; Valle; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  The State Parks and Recreation Commission may allow private nonprofit groups to use state park property and facilities to raise money for state parks.  If available, agency personnel and services may be used in the fund-raising effort.  Current law states that any moneys raised must be used solely for park purposes; none of the funds may go to the nonprofit group except in its status as a public user of park facilities.  This has been interpreted to mean that private nonprofit groups may not recoup any of their fund-raiser expenditures.

Summary of Bill:  The State Parks and Recreation Commission may enter into cooperative agreements with private nonprofit groups as well as allow for the use of state park property and facilities for the purpose of raising money for state parks.  The requirement that the money raised be used solely for the commission is removed.  None of the money raised by a nonprofit group may benefit the group except in furtherance of its purposes to support state parks.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The bill would enable the State Parks and Recreation Commission to benefit more from the contributions and support of volunteer organizations.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Nina Carter and Joan Hauser-Crowe, State Parks and Recreation Commission.