HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4017

                    As Passed Legislature

Brief Description:  Requesting Congress to control or eradicate nonnative noxious weeds.

Sponsors:  Representatives Thompson, Fuhrman, Stevens, G. Fisher, Elliot, Sheldon, Cairnes, B. Thomas, Beeksma, Schoesler and Horn.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Ecology:  3/1/95 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/9/95, 97-0;

Passed House:  1/12/96, 92-0.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Chandler, Chairman; Koster, Vice Chairman; McMorris, Vice Chairman; Mastin, Ranking Minority Member; Chappell, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boldt; Clements; Delvin; R. Fisher; Honeyford; Johnson; Kremen; Poulsen; Regala; Robertson; Rust and Schoesler.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:  The Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 as amended directs each federal agency to establish and adequately fund an undesirable plants management program through the agency's budgetary process, to complete and implement cooperative agreements with state agencies regarding the management of undesirable plant species on the agency's federal lands, and to establish integrated management systems to control and contain undesirable plant species targeted under cooperative agreements.  These requirements apply if similar programs are being implemented generally on state or private lands in the same area.  Other federal law requires federal agencies to permit an agricultural or other appropriate state agency to enter federal lands to destroy noxious plants under a procedure approved by the agency if, among other conditions, the state has a similar procedure for private lands. 

This state has programs for controlling noxious weeds at the state, county, and district level.  These programs include obligations of owners of private lands to control certain noxious weeds and, if an owner fails to control the weeds, for such weeds to be controlled at the owner's expense.

Summary of Bill:  Congress is asked to direct all federal instrumentalities and agencies managing or controlling property within this state to comply with all relevant laws and regulations regarding the control or eradication of nonnative noxious weeds in this state.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Testimony For:  Non-native plants are replacing native grasses.  The non-native plants are not edible by wildlife or livestock.  As the state begins taking action to control these weeds on state lands, it is important that the federal government also take care of the weeds on its lands.  The memorial requests that Congress assist in this effort.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Thompson (prime sponsor).