SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6174

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 2000

Title:  An act relating to the continuing operation of the winter recreation advisory committee.

Brief Description:  Extending the tenure of the winter recreation advisory committee.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  1/13/2000; 1/17/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/12/2000, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  David Johnson (786-7754)

Background:  The Winter Recreation Advisory Committee was created in 1975.  The committee advises the Parks and Recreation Committee in the administration and development of non-motorized winter recreation facilities and programs.  The committee is made up of 12 members.  Six represent non-snowmobiling interests from across the state, three represent snowmobilers, two represent the departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources, and one represents the association of counties.  The committee will expire, pursuant to a sunset clause, on June 30, 2001.

Summary of Bill:  The sunset provision, which would have terminated the committee June 30, 2001, is repealed.  Language is made gender neutral where appropriate.  Statutory references that have been recodified are corrected.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The committee has been a very valuable and active group of citizens.  Their advice to the Parks and Recreation Commission has been very useful in deciding how best to provide winter recreational opportunities.  Those individuals who buy permits like the fact that citizens run the program.  This locally driven approach has had a substantial and tangible impact on local communities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Rex, Derr, State Parks; David Newton, Kongsberger Ski Club; Joe Christy, Washington State Association of Counties.