SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2826

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Natural Resources & Parks, February 20, 1998

Title:  An act relating to distribution of nonhighway vehicle funds.

Brief Description:  Authorizing distribution of nonhighway vehicle funds to nonprofit off‑road vehicle organizations.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Schoesler, Hatfield, Buck, Butler, Kessler and Robertson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  2/19/98, 2/20/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Morton, Snyder, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) administers a nonhighway and off-road vehicle (ORV) activities program.  Funds for this program come from the portion the IAC receives from registration of off-road vehicles and motor vehicle fuel tax revenues.  The IAC distributes a portion of these funds to state agencies, counties, municipalities, federal agencies, and Indian tribes through a competitive grants program.  These public agencies use the grants they receive for planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, and management of nonhighway and off-road recreational opportunities.

Summary of Bill:  Nonprofit off-road vehicle organizations are also eligible to receive IAC funds through the nonhighway and off-road vehicle activities program competitive grants process if the funds are spent for projects or activities that benefit ORV recreation on lands once publicly owned that come into private ownership in a federally-approved land exchange completed between January 1, 1998, and January 1, 2005.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is similar to the bill allowing ORV funds use for exchanged lands which passed the Senate this session (SB 6585).  It is more narrow than the Senate bill and would only affect the Plum Creek/Forest Service exchange lands.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Steve Gano, Plum Creek Timber Company (pro).