HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2532

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to recognition of volunteer pilots.

Brief Description:  Allowing the department of transportation to recognize volunteer pilots.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher, Mitchell, Cairnes, Ogden, Dunn and Hurst; by request of Department of Transportation.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  1/24/00, 1/25/00 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows the Department of Transportation's Aviation Division to use pilot registration fee revenue to recognize its volunteers.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co-Chair; Mitchell, Republican Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic 1st Vice Chair; Edwards, Democratic 2nd Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Buck; G. Chandler; Fortunato; Haigh; Hatfield; Hurst; Lovick; McDonald; Morris; Murray; Ogden; Pflug; Radcliff; Romero; Schindler; Scott; Skinner; Wood and Woods.

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

Staff:  Reema Shawa (786-7301).

Background:

The Washington State Department of Transportation=s (WSDOT) Aviation Division is mandated to provide aerial search and rescue and maintain and operate its 15 emergency/recreational airstrips.  Because of limited resources, the division has historically relied heavily on volunteers in carrying out both of these mandates.

In showing its appreciation and support for the work and effort of these volunteers, the department has a longstanding practice of recognizing and honoring those private individuals who have assisted the aviation division in meeting its legislative mandate.  This recognition has historically been funded with state dollars, but in a recent Apurchasing@ audit of the aviation division, the practice of using state funds to recognize private individuals and organizations was called into question.   

Because these volunteers contribute a substantial amount of valued assistance and support to the department, at no additional cost to the state, it is the department's view that the nominal cost associated with thanking them to show their true appreciation, is a worthwhile expenditure of state funds.  However, to ensure that this practice is not called into question in the future, the department feels that this practice should be mandated in statute.

Summary of Bill:

Requires the use of pilot registration fee revenue to be used, in addition to other activities, for volunteer recognition and support.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 19, 2000.

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

Testimony For:  This will allow the WSDOT to properly recognize the valued services of its volunteers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Support) Bill Brubaker, Washington State Department of Transportation.