HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1614

                       As Passed House

                       March 12,  1997

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:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by  Representatives Alexander, Regala, Sump and Keiser; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  2/26/97, 3/5/97 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/12/97, 97‑0.

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:  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.  The 1995 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.  Revenues from the account may 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 parks 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:  Donations and bequests, fees from the sale of sand, and ski lift inspection fees  are to be 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 bill builds on the positive steps taken by the 1995 Legislature to provide a stable source of funding for the parks commission.  This is a housekeeping measure to incorporate four small accounts that were not included in the 1995 legislation.

Testimony Against:  None.

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