HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5526

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                     Energy & Utilities

Title:  An act relating to the Columbia river resource task force.

Brief Description:  Providing for the Columbia river resource task force.

Sponsors:  Senators Barr, Bauer, Prince and Sutherland.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Energy & Utilities, March 25, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Grant, Chair; Finkbeiner, Vice Chair; Casada, Ranking Minority Member; Johanson; Kessler; Kremen; Long; and Ludwig.

Staff:  Ken Conte (786-7113).

Background:  Last year, the Oregon State Legislature created a regional task force, the Columbia River Resource Task Force, to serve as a clearinghouse for interests and concerns regarding the Columbia River.  One of the duties of the task force is to report regional interests and concerns to the legislatures of the participating jurisdictions and to their respective state delegations in Congress.

The task force becomes operative when legislative appointments are made to the task force in at least two of the following three states in addition to Oregon:  Idaho, Montana, or Washington.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives are each required to appoint two members, one from each caucus of their respective houses, to represent the state of Washington on the Columbia River Resource Task Force.

The appointments become operative when at least two of the following states make appointments to the task force: Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.  Legislative members are required to use existing staff personnel for administrative support work and will be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in statute.

The act expires on July 1, 1998.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  A technical amendment is added to more clearly carry out the intent of the original bill.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The only input that the Joint Select Committee on Water Resources Policy has been able to get on Columbia River issues is from the Northwest Power Planning Council.  Oregon has adopted legislation to create this Columbia River Resource Task Force so that each state can become more informed and involved in the issues relating to the Columbia River.  Currently, the state is not in the loop on issues such as endangered species and there is a risk that the recovery plan being developed federally will bankrupt the state.  The appointments won't become operative for at least a year as Idaho and Montana have not introduced bills to make appointments yet.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Barr, prime sponsor.