FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1189

                         C 152 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Making the moratorium on oil and gas exploration and production off the Washington coast permanent.

Sponsors:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chandler, DeBolt, Zellinsky, Buck, McMorris, Mastin, Carlson, Radcliff, Talcott, D. Schmidt, Carrell, Cairnes, Ballasiotes, Huff, Robertson, Hickel, Mitchell, Wolfe, Chopp, Kessler, H. Sommers, Cody, Murray, Doumit, Gardner, Regala, Morris, Wensman, Butler, Hatfield, Fisher, Ogden, Wood, Keiser, Conway, Kenney, Anderson, O'Brien, Cooper, Romero, Poulsen, Mason and Blalock.

House Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

Background:  Legislation enacted in 1989 established a policy temporarily prohibiting the leasing of Washington's tidal or submerged lands for coastal oil and gas exploration, development, and production.  In 1996, the Legislature extended the prohibition until July 1, 2000.  The 1989 legislation also required a study identifying the positive and negative impacts of leasing state-owned lands for oil and gas development.  The study was due in 1994, but was never initiated.

Summary:  The prohibition on coastal oil and gas exploration, development, and production in Washington's tidal or submerged lands is made permanent.  The statute requiring the 1994 study identifying the impacts of leasing state-owned lands for oil and gas development is repealed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 47 1

Effective:July 27, 1997