SENATE BILL REPORT

                 E2SSB 6235

              As Passed Senate, February 17, 1998

Title:  An act relating to community athletic facilities.

Brief Description:  Creating the community outdoor athletic fields advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Kohl).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/5/98, 2/6/98 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means:  2/9/98, 2/10/98 [DP2S].

Passed Senate, 2/17/98, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6235 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Haugen, Horn and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6235 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  David Schumacher (786-7474)

Background:  In 1997, Referendum 48 approved a mechanism established by the state to finance stadium and exhibition centers and education technology grants through a combination of state, local, and private sources.  The portion of resulting state and local tax revenues that is in excess of bond payments and a private contribution of $10 million is used to fund youth athletic facility grants.  The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation administers the youth athletic facility grants and awards them competitively to city, county, and nonprofit organizations.

Summary of Bill:  An advisory committee on community outdoor athletic fields is established within the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation and may advise the committee regarding youth athletic facility grants.  The advisory committee consists of five members from the public at large.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 4, 1998.

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

Testimony For:  There is a very great need for youth athletic fields statewide.  Communities want to coordinate and work with government to provide them.  An advisory committee is a good idea.  Matching of grant funds should be required, but a set level can be difficult for small communities.  There is no emergency.  Technical clarifications and additional work on the proposed program are needed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Scott Sotebeer, Mickey Merriam, Friends of Athletic Fields (pro); Laura Eckert Johnson, IAC.

House Amendment(s):  An "advisory council" is created with nine members from the public at large:  four appointed by the chairperson of the IAC, two by the House, two by the Senate, and one, who is the chairperson, by the Governor.  Compensation is limited to reimbursement of travel expenses.  The council advises the IAC, which is responsible for awarding grants and for carrying out the other duties, subject to available resources.  The IAC is authorized to receive public and private funds.