HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5174

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Capital Budget

Title:  An act relating to transferring Lind property to Washington State University.

Brief Description:  Transferring property to Washington State University Lind dryland research unit.

Sponsors:  Senators Prince, Loveland, Morton and Rasmussen; by request of Washington State University.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Capital Budget:  3/25/97, 3/28/97 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Sehlin, Chairman; Honeyford, Vice Chairman; Ogden, Ranking Minority Member; Sullivan, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Costa; Hankins; Koster; Lantz; Mitchell and D. Sommers.

Staff:  Bill Robinson (786-7140).

Background:  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) controls and manages all land acquired by the state by either tax default, gift, or purchase, except land that is conveyed to the state to be used for a particular purpose.  When the department determines to sell state land, it can be sold either at a public auction or by direct sale to another public agency.  State land can also be marketed and sold  to private and commercial entities, at a price no lower than the appraised value, if approved by the board of natural resources.

In 1982, a benefactor named the state of Washington in her will as the beneficiary of a  1,000 acre farm, located next to the Washington State University Lind Dryland Research Unit, and a house in the town of Lind.  The benefactor recently died and the property, which is in the final stages of probate, is about to be deeded to the DNR consistent with the normal procedure for gifts of land to the state.  The land will be managed by the department in the same manner as school lands.

The Washington State University Lind Dryland Research Unit, which conducts research on dryland farming techniques, has been in the market to purchase farm land in the Lind area to expand its research activities.  After being notified of the willed property, WSU began discussions with the DNR to transfer the farm property to the research unit.  

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the state to transfer the farm land willed to the state by Cleora Neare to Washington State University.   The property will become part of the Washington State University Lind Dryland Research unit and all income from current leases on the land will be deposited into a local account for the benefit of the research unit.

The house in the city of Lind will be sold and the proceeds from the sale deposited into the permanent common school fund.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The DNR must sell the house in the city of Lind that was part of the property willed to the state.  The proceeds from the sale must be deposited into the permanent common school fund.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The research unit is in need of additional land to continue its research and this property provides a unique opportunity for the research unit.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Arlen Davison, Washington State University (pro).