BILL REQ. #:  H-1262.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to the state parks and outdoor recreation funding task force; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the state parks and outdoor recreation funding task force created in section 303, chapter 371, Laws of 2002 requires additional time to evaluate the services and funding needs for state parks and outdoor recreation lands. The legislature recognizes that there are limited resources available for managing these lands. The legislature intends to continue the task force to complete the work initiated in 2002 and develop additional recommendations for the 2004 legislative session.
     (2) The state parks and outdoor recreation funding task force is continued and is composed of the current fifteen members, four members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate and to include two members from each caucus, four members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and to include two members from each caucus, three members appointed by the governor and to include at least one representative of a broad coalition of users of the state's parks and outdoor recreation programs, one member appointed by the commissioner of public lands, one member appointed by the chair of the fish and wildlife commission, one member appointed by the chair of the state parks and recreation commission, and one member appointed by the interagency committee for outdoor recreation. An additional member shall be appointed by an organization, selected by the chair and vice-chair of the task force, that represents employees of the state parks and recreation commission, the fish and wildlife commission, and the department of natural resources. Any vacancies that might occur on the task force must be filled by the original appointing authority. The task force shall elect its own officers, be staffed by staff of the legislature, and may appoint an advisory committee of additional persons and organizations interested in the operation and funding of state parks and outdoor recreation.
     (3) The task force shall conduct a thorough evaluation of the organizational structures and service delivery of the outdoor recreation sites and programs managed by the state parks and recreation commission, the department of fish and wildlife, and the department of natural resources. The task force shall make recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2003, identifying priorities for managing state parks and outdoor recreation lands and stable long-term funding to adequately support those activities.
     (4) This section expires April 1, 2004.