SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6000

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 15, 1994

Brief Description:  Authorizing the state parks and recreation commission to secure abandoned vessels.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Talmadge, Winsley and Oke; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6000 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786‑7708)

Hearing Dates: January 14, 1994; January 26, 1994

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

BACKGROUND:

The Parks and Recreation Commission manages numerous marine facilities used by boaters.  Some vessel owners have abandoned their vessels at park facilities.  Others have left their vessels at park facilities for much longer than allowed and have failed to pay the required moorage charges.  Sometimes these abandoned vessels and vessels left without authorization have sunk or resulted in gasoline or oil discharges into marine waters.  Commonly, they have interfered with the public's use of state parks.  The commission has met with difficulties in providing for the removal of these problem vessels.

SUMMARY:

The Parks and Recreation Commission is authorized to "secure" vessels located on park property that are on the property without authorization; present a nuisance or threat to the environment, public health or park property; or are in danger of sinking.    

The commission is authorized to hold a "secured" vessel until the vessel owner makes arrangements with the commission for the vessel's removal and pays the commission its charges for securing the vessel, back moorage fees, and other amounts owed.  However, if the vessel is not claimed within a certain period, the vessel is considered abandoned and the commission is authorized to sell it to the highest bidder at a public sale.  The commission must provide detailed notices of vessel securing and sale.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill will help establish an orderly process for securing abandoned vessels on state parks property.  It authorizes the agency to respond in a timely fashion when an abandoned vessel is posing a threat to public health, safety or the environment.  The bill will also allow the agency to recover any costs incurred in securing abandoned vessels. 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The bill needs to include provisions for notifying lienholders when a vessel is secured and for satisfying liens of record when an abandoned vessel is sold. 

TESTIFIED:  Cleve Pinnix, Paul George, State Parks and Recreation Commission (pro); Ken Carlson, Olympia Police Department (pro); Trevor Sandison, Washington Bankers Association

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Numerous technical changes are made to increase clarity.