HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5301

             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:  Senators Fraser, Oke, Barr, Haugen and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, March 23, 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 fund-raising efforts.  Current law states that any moneys raised by a nonprofit group 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 recover any expenses related to their fund-raising efforts on behalf of state parks.

Summary of Bill:  The State Parks and Recreation Commission may enter into cooperative agreements with private nonprofit groups as well as allow for their use of state park property and facilities for the purpose of raising money for state parks.  The requirement that the moneys raised be used solely for park purposes is removed.  None of the moneys 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:  This bill is supported by several volunteer groups.  Some groups have already entered into informal agreements with state parks, composed bylaws, and elected officials.  They are ready to go to work.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (In favor) Bob Wilder and Joan Hauser-Crowe, State Parks and Recreation Commission.