SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5787

               As Passed Senate, March 14, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the disposition of proceeds from county land deeded to the department of natural resources.

Brief Description:  Concerning the disposition of proceeds from county land deeded to the department of natural resources.

Sponsors:  Senators Benton, Snyder and Newhouse.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  2/28/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/14/97, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The disposition of forest board land income goes to counties in which the land producing the income is located and is distributed to various funds of the county in the same manner as general taxes.  The exception in law is that any county with a population of less than 9,000 must first apply the reduction to any indebtedness existing in the current expense fund.  Skamania County is the only county with a population less than 16,000 which has forest board timber income.

Summary of Bill:  Any county with a population less than 16,000 is allowed to use income from forest board lands for reduction of indebtedness in the current expense fund.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The change is necessary since Skamania population is above 9,000 persons.  No change will occur in practice since the bill will allow this county to continue to use timber income for current operations.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Bill Vogler, Association of Counties (pro).