HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1615

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to offenses committed in state parks or parkways.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to offenses committed in state parks or parkways.

Sponsors:  Representatives Alexander, Regala and Sump; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  2/25/97, 3/5/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Anderson; Chandler; Hatfield; Pennington and Sheldon.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  It is unlawful to cut, break, injure, destroy, or take vegetation or natural objects within a state park.  The Parks and Recreation Commission does not have authority to prescribe rules to grant exemptions to this law.  Berry-picking, environmental education classes, and scientific studies are examples of activities that often violate this law.

Summary of Bill: The commission is authorized to adopt rules allowing exemptions to the law prohibiting a cut, break, or take of vegetation or natural objects in state parks.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The commission has adopted policies allowing common sense exemptions but the commission is not technically authorized to grant such exemptions.  The bill provides this needed authority.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Gary Alexander, prime sponsor; and Rex Derr, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (in favor).