SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5138

                As Passed Senate, March 5, 1997

Title:  An act relating to offenses committed in state parks or parkways.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to offenses committed in state parks or parkways.

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Snyder, Swecker and Winsley; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  1/17/97, 1/24/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/5/97, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Morton, Prentice, Roach, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The Parks and Recreation Commission does not have authority to prescribe rules to grant exceptions to a very narrow statute which strictly prohibits the injury or removal of any plant or natural object from any state park.  The commission receives numerous requests to remove plants or other materials for scientific purposes or for other purposes.  Rather than having the Legislature establish the numerous possible reasons why items may be removed from parks, the authority can be given to the Parks and Recreation Commission and it can establish by rule what procedures are necessary to remove items from state parks.

Summary of Bill:  It is illegal to cut, break, injure, destroy, take or remove any tree, shrub, timber, plant, or natural object in any park or parkway.  An exception is allowed when it is in accordance with rules established by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The law is too narrow and the Attorney General=s Office asked us to change it so it can be enforced.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Cleve Pinnix, State Parks (pro).