FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6242

C 263 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Establishing a statewide strategy for land acquisitions and disposal.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette and Berkey).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Capital Budget

Background: Because land acquisitions by state agencies for recreation and habitat purposes have long-term consequences for the state and the counties in which the lands are located, concern has been expressed that the Legislature must be as well informed as possible regarding why and how the acquisitions are made. The most recent compilation of such information is the 1999 Public and Tribal Lands Inventory, a report to the Legislature by the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation that provides a baseline inventory of public lands and identifies the total acreage of public and tribal lands, their ownership, general location, and primary purpose.

Summary: The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation is directed to compile an inventory of land transfers by state agencies since 1980 that involve recreational and habitat lands and to recommend a statewide strategy for future transfers. A report to the Legislature and the Governor is due June 30, 2005.

The inventory will cover transfers of both ownership and less than ownership interests that are either funded by state agencies, traded, or gifted; sources of funding; principal uses of the lands; the agencies or local governments involved; and the costs and revenues. Additional information that local governments elect to provide regarding any other transfers that similarly result in tax exempt status will also be included.

The statewide strategy will provide for policies and priorities, determination of need, coordination among agencies, compensation of local governments for loss of tax revenue, and achieving "no net gain" in counties with large amounts of public land.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       49  0

House       96  0    (House amended)

Senate       44  0    (Senate concurred)

Effective: June 10, 2004