SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6692

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development, February 1, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the state weed board.

Brief Description:  Providing for state and federal cooperation for weed control on federal land.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Morton and Hargrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development:  1/30/96, 2/1/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & AGRICULTURAL TRADE & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6692 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; A. Anderson, Bauer, Morton, Newhouse and Snyder.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  There are substantial weed problems on federal lands.  Weeds eventually spread from federal lands to state and private lands.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The state Weed Board must work with various federal agencies to coordinate state and federal weed control and encourage federal agencies to devote more time and resources to weed control.  The board assists federal land management agencies by supporting increased funding.

Local weed boards must work with various land management agencies to identify emergent weed problems, outline and plan necessary weed control actions, develop coordinated weed control programs and to notify local federal agencies of weed problems on their lands. 

Local and county weed boards are authorized to enter federal lands to control weeds.  The local weed board may bill the federal land management agency for the cost of weed control if the federal agency fails to control weeds on federal lands.  If the federal agency refuses to pay, the boards may use their funds if available from the Department of Agriculture.  Local weed boards must consult with state agencies, and the Attorney General's Office and county prosecuting attorneys must assist the state and local boards, if needed.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Language is clarified and legal support for the state board and local boards is authorized.  The funding mechanism in existing law is integrated into the substitute and the existing statute is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The state and local weed boards need greater authority in dealing with the federal government on weed control projects.  The federal agencies are not controlling weeds well enough.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Kent Lebsac, Washington Cattlemen; Terry Hunt, Washington Grange; Laurie Penders, State Weed Board; K.O. Rosenberg, NE Counties.