SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6038

                    AS OF JANUARY 10, 1994

Brief Description:  Eliminating log patrols.

SPONSORS: Senators Owen and Oke

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: January 14, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Stray logs that are adrift on waters in Washington may pose a threat to navigation, life and to property.  Transportation of logs on water and log raft storage were commonplace historically and stray logs posed a frequent hazard.  Stray logs were recovered by log patrols who were licensed by the Department of Natural Resources. 

The Department of Natural Resources licenses log patrol personnel to recover logs which have been lost from transportation or storage.  License fees are $500 every two years.  Existing RCW 76.40 directs the department to operate the program.  Only log patrols, log owners or agents of log owners may lawfully take possession of stray logs in Washington State waters.  The log patrols must return the log to its owner or arrange for the sale or auction under the direction of the department. 

Presently, log patrols receive 75 percent of the log selling price.  Log owners receive the remaining 25 percent.  For unbranded logs, the 25 percent owner's portion of the sale price is deposited in the general fund.  If the log patrol statute were repealed, the state's role would be eliminated.  Logs would still be picked by private companies. 

SUMMARY:

The existing log patrol statutes are repealed. 

     Logs are removed by owners rather than by a log patrol. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested