S-4993.2  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6692

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Morton and Hargrove)

Read first time 02/02/96.

Providing for state and federal cooperation for weed control on federal land.

    AN ACT Relating to the state weed board; adding a new section to chapter 17.10 RCW; and repealing RCW 17.10.200.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 17.10 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The state weed board shall:

    (a) Work with the various federal land management agencies to coordinate state and federal weed control;

    (b) Encourage the various federal land management agencies to devote more time and resources to weed control; and

    (c) Assist the various federal and tribal land management agencies by seeking adequate funding for weed control.

    (2) Local weed boards shall work with the various federal land management agencies in each county in order to:

    (a) Identify new noxious weed infestations;

    (b) Outline and plan necessary noxious weed control actions;

    (c) Develop coordinated noxious weed control programs; and

    (d) Notify local federal agency land managers of noxious weed infestations.

    (3) County weed boards and districts are authorized to enter federal lands to survey for and control weeds.  An entity authorized under this subsection to enter federal lands to control weeds may not be held liable for that action.  The county weed board or district may bill the federal land management agency that controls the land for all costs of the weed control they perform if the federal agency fails to control weeds on the land.  The cost, if not paid by the state agency or the federal agency managing the land, may be paid from any funds available to the department of agriculture or the local noxious weed control authority for the administration of this chapter.

    (4) The county noxious weed control board is authorized to enter into any reasonable agreement with the appropriate authorities for the control of noxious weeds on Indian or federal lands.

    (5) The local weed boards shall consult with agencies managing state land concerning weed infestation and control programs.

    (6) The attorney general's office and each county prosecuting attorney's office shall cooperatively assist the state weed board or the local weed boards in any challenges to their authority or actions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  RCW 17.10.200 and 1987 c 438 s 21, 1979 c 118 s 3, & 1969 ex.s. c 113 s 20 are each repealed.

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