HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1718

                      As Passed House:

                       March 16, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the disposal of state parks and recreation commission land in Moses Lake, Washington.

Brief Description:  Conveying land to the city of Moses Lake.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (Originally sponsored by Representatives G. Chandler, Murray, Mitchell and Mulliken).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  2/16/99, 2/24/99 [DPS];

Capital Budget:  3/8/99 [DPS(NR)].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/16/99, 95-0.

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Requires that the State Parks and Recreation Commission convey Moses Lake State Park to the city of Moses Lake, provided that the land remains dedicated to park purposes.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Buck, Republican Co-Chair; Regala, Democratic Co-Chair; Anderson, Democratic Vice Chair; Sump, Republican Vice Chair; G. Chandler; Clements; Doumit; Eickmeyer; Pennington; Rockefeller and Stensen.

Staff:  Josh Weiss (786-7129).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Natural Resources be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Mitchell, Republican Co-Chair; Murray, Democratic Co-Chair; Edmonds, Democratic Vice Chair; Esser, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander; Anderson; Barlean; Bush; Constantine; Hankins; Koster; Lantz; Mastin; Miloscia; O'Brien; Ogden and Schoesler.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Dunshee.

Staff:  Susan Howson (786-7142).

Background:

Moses Lake State Park is located five miles west of the city of Moses Lake, in Grant County.  The park consists of 78 acres with 862 feet of freshwater shoreline.  The park is limited to day use only, and in 1996, 376,282 visits were recorded.  Activities available at the park include: boating, fishing, ice skating, picnicking, scuba diving, swimming, and water skiing. 

Summary of Bill:

The State Parks and Recreation Commission is required to convey to the city of Moses Lake all property located within the city of Moses Lake which is developed for a state park.  Prior to such action, the commission must obtain waivers or other legal assurances regarding the deed restrictions or reversionary clauses contained in the deed to the land.

The city of Moses Lake is required to take all measures necessary to accept ownership of the land.  The city must maintain the land as a city park and if the city breaches this covenant, the property will revert to the State Parks and Recreation Commission. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  (Natural Resources) (Original bill)  This park has been considered for sale by the commission a number of times, and it costs the commission more money than it makes.  Moses Lake is a very parks-oriented city.  They would like to acquire this land to develop a campground.  The area needs a better park facility.  In this time of pressure on the commission, let the city take over responsibility for this land. 

(Capital Budget) (Substitute bill) Testimony is the same as the original bill.

Testimony Against:  (Natural Resources) None.

(Capital Budget) (Substitute bill) None.

Testified:  (Natural Resources) (In support) Representative Gary Chandler, prime sponsor.

(Natural Resources) (With concerns) Rex Derr, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

(Capital Budget)  (In support) Representative Gary Chandler, prime sponsor; and Larry Fairleigh, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.