SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1867

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, FEBRUARY 22, 1994

Brief Description:  Designating the Washington park arboretum as an official state arboretum.

SPONSORS: Representatives Anderson, Edmondson, Jacobsen, Rayburn and Thibaudeau

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Deccio, McCaslin, Moore, Morton, Sutherland and Talmadge.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786‑7708)

Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993; March 26, 1993; February 22, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Washington State has a variety of designations symbolizing the uniqueness of the state.  Some of these include the state flag, state tree (western hemlock), state grass (bluebunch wheatgrass), state flower (rhododendron), state fruit (apple), state bird (willow goldfinch), state fish (steelhead trout), state song ("Washington My Home"), state folk song ("Roll On Columbia"), state dance (square dance), and the state seal.

The Washington Park Arboretum, formerly known as the University of Washington Arboretum, is a 200-acre arboretum run by the city of Seattle and the University of Washington.  In addition to being an area dedicated to preserving and displaying woody plant species from around the world that can thrive in the Northwest, it is a center for botanical and gardening information.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Park Arboretum is declared an official arboretum of the state of Washington.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Recognizing the Washington Park Arboretum as an official arboretum of the state will help the arboretum when it approaches national foundations for grants.  There is no fiscal impact to the state associated with the bill.  The bill does not preclude designation of other arboretums elsewhere in the state.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Cal Anderson, prime sponsor; Don Abel, Arboretum Foundation (pro)