HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESSB 6152

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to state park lands.

Brief Description:  Managing state park lands.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Swecker; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  2/25/98, 2/27/98 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Butler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Anderson; Chandler; Eickmeyer; Hatfield and Pennington.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background: If the State Parks and Recreation Commission finds that lands under its control cannot advantageously be used for park purposes, the commission may dispose of these lands.  Two possible options for disposal include selling the lands to the highest bidder and exchanging the lands for other lands of equal value.  Proceeds from the sale of such lands are deposited in the state general fund.  Before presenting a proposed exchange of these lands to the commission, the director must hold a public hearing on the proposal in the county where the state lands are located.  The director must hold this hearing at least 10 days, but not more than 25 days, before presenting the proposed exchange to the commission.

The parkland acquisition account was created by the Legislature to be used solely for the purchase or acquisition of property for use as state park property.  Funds in the account are subject to legislative appropriation.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Proceeds derived from the sale of such park lands are deposited in the parkland acquisition account rather than the state general fund.

The time constraint of holding a local public hearing at least 10 days but not more than 25 days before the director presents a proposed exchange to the commission is removed, though the requirement to hold the local public hearing remains.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Substitute Bill:  The underlying bill included a provision directing interest earned on the parkland acquisition account back into that account.  The amended bill removes this provision.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 20, 1998. Refer to fiscal note on HB 2355.

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

Testimony For:  This will help the State Parks and Recreation Commission do its job more efficiently.  This will help with land transactions such as minor boundary adjustments.  It will give the commission a useful tool.  It will be helpful to be able to provide longer notice on public hearings and time them to better coordinate with commission meetings.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Cleve Pinnix, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.