SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6520

                    As of January 31, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the forest practices board.

Brief Description:  Concerning rules to protect the Northern spotted owl or marbled murrelet.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove, Swecker, Snyder, Owen, A. Anderson, Morton, Zarelli, Rasmussen, Loveland, Newhouse and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  2/1/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The Forest Practices Board has been developing a rule relating to forest management in areas where marbled murrelets and Northern spotted owls need to be protected.  This process has taken approximately five years, and because of the complexity of both the Forest Practices Act and the federal Endangered Species Act, the rule is long and complex.  Also, there is some question whether the Forest Practices Board has interpreted the federal statutes correctly.

Summary of Bill:  Any forest management rule relating to the protection of the Northern spotted owl or the marbled murrelet that is adopted by the Forest Practices Board does not become effective until both houses of the Legislature adopt a concurrent resolution authorizing the implementation of that rule.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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