HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2355

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to state park lands.

Brief Description:  Managing state park lands.

Sponsors:  Representatives Alexander, Ogden, Lantz, Anderson and Conway; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  2/9/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/13/98, 95-0.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 31 members:  Representatives Huff, Chairman; Alexander, Vice Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Wensman, Vice Chairman; H. Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gombosky, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Benson; Carlson; Chopp; Cody; Cooke; Crouse; Dyer; Grant; Keiser; Kenney; Kessler; Lambert; Linville; Lisk; Mastin; McMorris; Parlette; Poulsen; Regala; D. Schmidt; Sehlin; Sheahan; Talcott and Tokuda.

Staff:  Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:  Current law restricts the State Parks and Recreation Commission's authority to hold public hearings relating to land exchanges.  The commission must have the hearing neither more than 25 days nor less than 10 days prior to presenting a land exchange proposal to the commission.  In addition, the proceeds from the sale of state park lands must go directly into the general fund.

Summary of Bill:  The restrictions on the time period within which the commission must conduct public hearings are eliminated.  Proceeds from the sale of park land are placed in a dedicated account to purchase other park lands.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The bill allows a longer period of time to conduct public hearings before a land sale or land exchange.  This permits greater opportunities for public input and  provides an incentive for the State Parks and Recreation Commission to adjust boundaries in areas where it is beneficial.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rex Derr, Washington State Parks.