SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1993

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Parks, Fish & Wildlife, March 31, 2003

Title: An act relating to increasing the term for leasing in undeveloped parks or parkway land.

Brief Description: Authorizing the parks and recreation commission to rent certain undeveloped land for a term of forty years.

Sponsors: Representatives Cooper, Sump, Berkey and Hinkle.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Parks, Fish & Wildlife: 3/25/03, 3/31/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PARKS, FISH & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Sheahan, Vice Chair; Doumit, Esser, Jacobsen, Morton and Swecker.

Staff: Kari Guy (786-7437)

Background: The State Parks and Recreation Commission is charged with the care, control, and supervision of all state parks. Certain powers and duties are established in statute, including the authority to enter into agreements to rent undeveloped park land for grazing, agricultural, or mineral purposes for a term of not more than ten years.

Summary of Bill: The State Parks and Recreation Commission may enter into agreements to rent undeveloped park land for grazing, agricultural, or mineral purposes for a term of not more than 40 years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Permitting for mineral development can take time. The extended lease period will provide the certainty that private contractors need to enter into lease agreements with State Parks.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Fred Romero, State Parks and Recreation Commission (pro).