SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2375
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, February 27, 2002
Title: An act relating to trust land transfers.
Brief Description: Requiring a public hearing prior to transfer or disposal of trust land.
Sponsors: Representatives Rockefeller, Buck, Doumit, Sump, Dunshee, Ericksen, Jackley, Kessler, Eickmeyer, Edwards, Woods, Haigh and McDermott.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines: 2/25/02, 2/27/02 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Morton, Oke, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.
Staff: Kari Guy (786‑7437)
Background: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with the approval of the Board of Natural Resources, may transfer or dispose of state land it owns without auction if the transactions are in lieu of condemnations, are transfers to public agencies, or are transfers to resolve trespass and property ownership disputes. Real property transferred or disposed of in this manner may only occur after an appraisal is conducted, DNR receives at least fair market value, and the transaction is in the best interest of the state or affected trusts.
Public agencies that DNR is allowed to transfer land to without an auction include any other state agency, any political subdivision, municipal corporations, quasi‑municipal corporations, special purpose districts, local service districts, any federal agency, and any Indian tribe recognized by the federal government.
Summary of Amended Bill: Prior to transferring any real property without auction to a public agency, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must hold a public hearing on the proposal in the county where the state land is located. The hearing must be advertised in the appropriate local newspaper and DNR must issue a news release to printed and electronic media in the area where the land is located. The hearing process is unnecessary in cases where the Legislature has directed the transfer. To appraise the land, the Department must select an appraiser with demonstrated expertise within the region.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: A provision is added to require the department to select an appraiser with experience in the region.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The Department of Natural Resources is already required to hold public hearings on other land transfers. The local community should be informed about potential land transfers up front, before the transaction is approved.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Rockefeller, prime sponsor (pro); Patty Henson, DNR (pro).