HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5139

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to the state parks and recreation commission fiscal matters.

Brief Description:  Regarding enterprise activities of the state parks and recreation commission.

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Snyder, Swecker and Winsley; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/21/97, 4/3/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Anderson; Hatfield; Pennington and Sheldon.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Chandler.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  The 1994 Legislature directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to study ways to stabilize its budget.  As a result of the study, the commission adopted a series of  recommendations that were presented to, and enacted by, the 1995 Legislature.  This legislation directed that a number of state park revenue sources,  including user fees, leases, timber sales, and concession receipts, be  deposited into a newly created state Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account (PRSA).   Revenues from the account are to be used for operating expenses, capital improvements, stewardship activities, or for other activities as determined by the Parks Commission.  The account is subject to allotment procedures and to legislative appropriation.

Some state park revenue sources do not go into the state Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account.  Money from the sale of historical and recreational literature is directed into the parks improvement account.  Donated or bequeathed money received by the commission that is not specifically tied to a park or park-related activity is deposited into the state general fund.  The sale of sand is deposited into the state general fund.  Fees to inspect ski lifts are deposited into the state general fund.

Summary of Bill:  Revenues from four accounts are deposited into the Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account.

Donations and bequests, fees from the sale of sand, and ski lift inspection fees  are  deposited into the Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account.  The director is authorized to transfer a portion of the funds generated by the sale of literature and materials from the parks improvement account to the Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account.  The commission=s authority to publish and sell interpretative recreational and historical materials and literature in and outside of park facilities is clarified. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1997.

Testimony For: This is a cleanup bill to move the revenues from 4 small accounts into the PRSA.  These small accounts  were overlooked in 1995 when the PRSA was created.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Bob Oke, prime sponsor; and Rex Derr, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (pro).