Brief Description: Creating a task force to examine state regulation of state and federal military training grounds.

Sponsors: Representatives Bailey, Haigh, Bush, Kagi, Ericksen, Boldt, Clibborn and Shabro.

Hearing Date: 2/6/04

Staff: Katie Blinn (786-7114).

Background:

There are a number of state and federal military facilities in Washington State. The largest state military facility is Camp Murray, used by the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. The largest federal military facilities include:

•    Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

•    Naval Station Everett

•    Naval Station Bremerton

•    Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

•    Submarine Base Bangor

•    Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport

•    Naval Mazagine Indian Island

•    McChord Air Force Base

•    Fort Lewis Army Base

•    Yakima Firing Center

•    Fairchild Air Force Base

Summary of Bill:

The Military Training Land Use Task Force is created to examine state and local environmental and land use regulations that regulate land used for training purposes by state and federal military organizations. The task force must determine whether such regulations impede military training, increase the expense of military training, or increase the expense of military training facilities. The task force must report to the Legislature by the end of 2004 on its findings and recommendations. The report may be made in electronic form and must be posted on the websites of the appropriate standing committees of the Legislature.

The task force shall be staffed by the Military Department and have 13 members:

1.   A representative of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island;

2.   A representative of McChord Air Force Base;

3.   A representative of Fairchild Air Force Base;

4.   A representative of Fort Lewis Army Base;

5.   A representative of Naval Station Bremerton;

6.   A representative of Naval Station Everett;

7.   A representative of Submarine Base Bangor;

8.   A representative of the Washington Air National Guard;

9.   A representative of the Washington Army National Guard;

10. A representative of the Washington State Department of Ecology;

11. A representative of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife;

12. A representative of the Association of Washington Cities; and

13. A representative of the Washington State Association of Counties.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 30, 2004.

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