HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5410

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to the Washington park arboretum.

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

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators C. Anderson, Rasmussen, Gaspard, Newhouse, Snyder, Bauer, Kohl, Pelz, Fraser, Sellar, Wood and Roach).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/22/95, 3/28/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Fuhrman, Chairman; Buck, Vice Chairman; Pennington, Vice Chairman; Basich, Ranking Minority Member; Regala, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Beeksma; Cairnes; Elliot; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Romero; Sheldon; Stevens; B. Thomas and Thompson.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  Over the years, the Legislature has designated a number of items as special symbols for the state of Washington.  For example, the Legislature has designated the state flag and the state seal, as well as the state tree, the state bird, and the state fish.

The Washington Park Arboretum is a 200-acre arboretum managed by the City of Seattle and the University of Washington.  The arboretum specializes in the display and conservation of plants which can be grown in the Pacific Northwest, particularly woody plants.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature makes a set of findings about the important role of arboreta in general and the Washington Park Arboretum in particular.  The Washington Park Arboretum is designated as an official arboretum of the state of Washington.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Agriculture is concerned about plant species and would like the arboretum to have this high profile.  The Arboretum Foundation is a group which raises money for the arboretum, and the designation will facilitate the foundation's efforts.  The arboretum is a living museum which is recognized in the United States and internationally.  It is especially recognized for its collection of woody plants.  It is an invaluable treasure of the Northwest.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Marilyn Rasmussen, sponsor; Don Abel, Arboretum Foundation; John Wott, Washington Park Arboretum/University of Washington; and Bruce Briggs, Briggs Nursery (all in favor).