SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5442

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Natural Resources & Parks, February 27, 1997

                 Ways & Means, March 10, 1997

Title:  An act relating to flood damage reduction.

Brief Description:  Permitting expedited flood damage repairs during flooding emergencies.

Sponsors:  Senators Swecker, Loveland, Anderson, Stevens, Haugen, Prince, Hale, Franklin, Sheldon, Benton, Rasmussen and Zarelli.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  2/13/97, 2/27/97 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means:  3/10/97 [DP2S].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5442 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5442 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Fraser, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786-7708)

Background:  There has been significant flooding in recent years and counties have the primary authority in developing flood reduction plans.  This is done in cooperation with the Department of Ecology and the Department of Natural Resources and other state and federal agencies.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife must develop five-year maintenance approval agreements consistent with comprehensive flood control management plans adopted by the county.  This must be done at the request of any county.  The agreement relates to the hydraulic authority of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and allows for work on public and private property for bank stabilization, bridge repair, removal of sand bars and debris, channel maintenance and other flood damage repair and reduction activity under conditions agreed upon.  Procedures are established to deal with potential problems before a flood occurs and the emergency procedures during a flood are clarified.  The county is given authority to declare an emergency arising from flooding conditions. 

Second Substitute Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Provisions for a transfer of $10 million from the general fund to the flood control assistance account are removed.  An appropriation of $1 million is provided to complete 1995-97 projects that were delayed due to weather or delays in permitting.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The hydraulic permit process is changed to allow for construction when an emergency is expected and when an emergency occurs.

Appropriation:  $1 million from the public works assistance account to the flood control assistance account.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For (Natural Resources & Parks):  Procedures are needed to expedite flood control and pre-flood construction to protect land and people.

Testimony Against (Natural Resources & Parks):  The bill needs to be more specific and needs to address protection of habitat.

Testified (Natural Resources & Parks):  PRO:  Judy Wilson, Thurston County; Dick Dorsett, Pierce County; CON:  Ed Manary, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Ric Abbett, Trout Unlimited.

Testimony For (Ways & Means):  The bill will help counties work with the state to develop a five-year strategy for flood control projects.  There are some short term costs, but over the long run this will help save money for both the state and local governments.  It will streamline the permit process.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means):  None.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Senator Dan Swecker, prime sponsor; Commissioner Bob Hart, Skagit County Board of Commissioners (pro).