Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

HB 2769

Brief Description:  Adding members to the board of natural resources.

Sponsors:  Representatives Murray, Jarrett, Rockefeller, Linville, Dunshee, Upthegrove, Ericksen, McDermott, Lantz, Edwards, Kenney and Ogden.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Adds three new members to the Board of Natural Resources:  the Secretary of State, a member of the general public, and a representative of a water district.

Hearing Date:  2/8/02

Staff:  Jason Callahan (786‑7117).

Background:

Washington's Constitution and Enabling Act both mandate that the forest lands owned by the state be held in trust by Washington and managed for the benefit of a select group of beneficiaries.  These beneficiaries include the public schools and the state university system.  Management of these forest lands has been entrusted to the Board of Natural Resources (board) and the Department of Natural Resources.

The board is composed of six members who are charged with making the management decisions for Washington's forests.  The members of the board are the Governor's office, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Commissioner of Public Lands, the dean of the College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington, the dean of the College of Agriculture at Washington State University, and a representative of the counties that contain state forest within their borders.

Summary of Bill:

The Board of Natural Resources is expanded from six members to nine members.  The three new members are the Secretary of State or designee, a member of the general public, and a representative of a water district that contains state trust land within its watershed.

The member of the general public is appointed by the Governor after being nominated by regional or statewide hunting, fishing, recreation, or conservation groups.  This member is to represent the public's interest.

The representative of water districts is appointed by the Governor after being nominated by water districts with state trust lands within their watersheds.  The water district representative must be an elected member of a water district authority that is serving a four‑year term.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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