SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6443

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 1996

Title:  An act relating to leasing of seabeds for oil and gas exploration.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting the lease of certain tidal or submerged lands for oil or gas exploration.

Sponsors:  Senators Fairley, Oke, Fraser, Quigley, Snyder, Kohl, Owen, Rinehart, Pelz, Franklin, Wood, Spanel, Prentice, Thibaudeau, Drew and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  1/25/96, 1/26/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/10/96, 32-16.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Haugen, Morton, Oke, Owen and Snyder.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The 1996 Legislature extended the moratorium on oil and gas exploration, development and production off the coast of Washington.  The Legislature extended the moratorium from 1995 through July 1, 2000.

Summary of Bill:  The provision extending the moratorium is repealed thereby making permanent the moratorium on oil or gas exploration, development or production.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Oil and gas exploration and development should never occur off the Washington coast.  Our fish and recreation resources are too important to allow drilling and production.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Dan Cantrell, Dave Fellerman, WEC; Ed Owens, coast fisherman; Andrew Palmer, Center for Marine Conservation; Diane Ellison, Ellison Timber Properties.