HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5667

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Natural Resources & Parks

Title:  An act relating to the water trail recreation program.

Brief Description:  Creating a water trail recreation program.

Sponsors:  Senators Talmadge, Fraser, Moore, Sutherland, Bluechel, A. Smith and Haugen.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, March 30, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Pruitt, Chair; R. Johnson, Vice Chair; Dunshee; Linville; Sheldon; Valle; and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Stevens, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Schoesler; and Thomas.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  In January 1993, the State Parks and Recreation Commission designated the state's first official water trail.  The trail runs from South Puget Sound into the San Juan Islands.  The commission has designated 12 state parks as part of the water trail.  In addition, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved the use of eight DNR marine recreation sites as part of the same trail.

Summary of Amended Bill:  A state water trail recreation program is created in statute, to be administered by the State Parks and Recreation Commission.  The commission is authorized to plan, construct, and maintain facilities for water trail activities.  The commission may also publish and charge a fee for maps and other forms of public information indicating areas and facilities suitable for water trail activities, and may work with groups who wish to volunteer support for the Water Trail Recreation Program.

A water trail advisory committee is created to advise the commission on matters related to water trails.  The advisory committee is to be made up of public members representing water trail users, public members representing the commercial sector, and representatives of state agencies and local government associations.

A water trail permit system is also created, with the fee for an annual permit to be determined by the commission after consultation with the water trail advisory committee.  The permit fees and revenues from sales of publications are to be deposited into the water trail program account, which the bill creates in the state treasury.  Moneys in this account are subject to appropriation and may only be spent by the commission for water trail purposes.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amended bill reorganizes and makes technical corrections to the underlying bill.  The amended bill clarifies that a person may not participate as a user of the Water Trail Recreation Program without first obtaining an annual permit.  The amended bill also expressly allows the State Parks and Recreation Commission to work with individuals or organizations who wish to volunteer their time to support the Water Trail Recreation Program.  Language is removed which directed that fines from violations of this act be deposited in the water trail program account.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.