SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5483

                As Passed Senate, March 8, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the use of volunteers by the state parks and recreation commission.

Brief Description:  Using volunteers at the state parks and recreation commission.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Oke, Winsley and Costa; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  2/1/99, 2/3/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/8/99, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Oke, Rossi, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff:  David Johnson (786-7754)

Background:  The Parks and Recreation Commission operates a volunteer program to assist with work in the state parks.  The current law is viewed as limiting the volunteer program to fewer things than the commission would like to use volunteers for.

Summary of Bill:  The commission's ability to pay for volunteer expenses is expanded.  The commission may pay for needed materials, travel, and recognition expenses of volunteers.

Volunteers may not be used if a parks employee's duties would be supplanted.  Volunteers may be exempt from park fees.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This would give Parks and Recreation clear authority to continue volunteer programs.  It meets public employees= concerns and Park and Recreation=s needs.  More emphasis needs to be put on appropriate staff funding.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rex Derr, State Parks (pro); Lynn McKinnon, WPEA.