S-0145.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5162

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senators Deccio, Bauer, Benton, Winsley and McCaslin

Read first time 01/17/97.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.

Authorizing property owners to remove vegetation due to disease or other danger.

    AN ACT Relating to removal of vegetation; and adding a new section to chapter 64.12 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 64.12 RCW to read as follows:

    Any property owner cutting down, falling, trimming, or otherwise removing any tree or other plant on the property because of disease or endangerment to persons or property, may not be required by any governmental entity to obtain permission for the action.  Any forester, arborist, or expert costs in determining the values of trees, plants, or other vegetation for any statute, ordinance, or rule shall be paid exclusively by the governmental entity requiring the value determination.

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