FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5310

                          C 266 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Modifying prosecutions for trespass or waste of public lands.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senator Owen)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

BACKGROUND:

The incidence of property trespass, natural resource damage and the problem of theft of valuable resources from public lands has increased as the population in Washington has grown and moved into rural areas.  The Department of Natural Resources requires that trespass be investigated and resolved, and that trespassers are held responsible for their actions.

SUMMARY:

Liability for trespass is established and damage to Department of Natural Resources lands will be compensated at treble damages plus reimbursement for reasonable costs to resolve the problem.  The state may recover the value of the use, occupancy or valuable resources removed.  A trespasser is liable to reimburse the state for all reasonable administrative, survey, and legal costs and attorney fees incurred by the state in its effort to resolve the trespass or restore the land to original condition.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    40   9

House     98   0

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993