Brief Description: Creating a state parks centennial committee.

Sponsors: Representatives Simpson, D., Pearson, Cooper, Sump, Upthegrove and Chase.

Hearing Date: 1/27/04

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

In 1913, the Legislature established the Washington State Board of Parks Commissioners, marking the first year for Washington State Parks. Since its inception, the system has grown to over 100 locations across the state. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) has adopted a vision to guide the park system toward its 100th anniversary in 2013.

The Commission is granted authority to care for and supervise the state park system. The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. The members of the commission must select one of its members as chair.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington State Parks Centennial Advisory Committee (Committee) is created consisting of eleven members. Member of the Committee include the chair and vice-chair of the Commission, a representative of the Governor, four legislative members representing each of the largest caucuses in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Director of the Office of Financial Management (OFM), and three members of the public appointed by the chair of the Commission. The three members representing the public must consist of a representative of Commission employees, a representative of private sector donors, and a representative of state parks users. Staff support for the Committee is provided by the Commission, and may also be provided by the Legislature, the Governor, the OFM, or other sources. The Committee will meet at the call of the chair.

Nonlegislative committee members will be reimbursed for travel expenses by rates established by the OFM for persons appointed to serve without compensation on a committee. Legislative members will be reimbursed according to policies established by the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House for members when conducting legislative business.

The Committee shall develop a proposal to implement the Centennial 2013 Plan (Plan). The Plan proposal shall include a complete description of the policy and fiscal components, the roles of the implementing entities, time frames, and cost estimates for each component on an annual or biennial basis. The Commission will review and may revise the Plan, and must submit a draft proposal to the OFM and the fiscal committees of the legislature by September 1, 2004. The Commission will submit a complete proposal to the OFM and the fiscal committees of the legislature by January 1, 2005. The Commission must submit revised proposals by June 30 of each even-numbered year. The act expires December 31, 2013.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.