HB 1803-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/17/03)

Finds that during the 2003 legislative session, the commissioner of public lands brought forward the idea of the creation of a legacy trust in the form of House Bill No. 1803 and Senate Bill No. 5750. The legacy trust was proposed to serve as a new land trust, managed by the department of natural resources, the revenue from which would be dedicated to supporting recreational access and use on state-owned lands.

Concurs with the commissioner of public lands that the demand for the use and enjoyment of public lands is extensive and growing and that the quality of recreational experiences, safety to the public, upkeep of trails and facilities, and protection of land from ecological impacts may be in jeopardy.

Finds that the ideas brought forward by the commissioner of public lands, as well as other ideas for achieving similar goals, deserves the attention of select legislators in the interim between the 2003 and 2004 legislative sessions.

Establishes a joint select committee on the legacy trust proposal to consider, study, and review the legacy trust proposal brought forward by the commissioner of public lands for establishing a stable, long-term revenue source to support recreational access and use on state-owned lands, and to consider any alternate methods to achieve the same goals. One alternative for the committee to research is any options available for obtaining federal forest land located in Washington to be used as part of the legacy trust's land base.

Provides that any land that is acquired by the state between the effective date of this act and June 30, 2004, either by gift, escheat, devise, or grant, that is not conveyed for a particular purpose, may be held by the department separate from any existing land trusts.

Provides that, if by June 30, 2004, the legislature establishes the legacy trust pursuant to this act, or any other land trust designed to provide financial support for the management of public recreational access and use on state-owned lands, then any land held pursuant to this provision shall be transferred to the new land trust and managed pursuant to legislative direction.

Provides that, if by June 30, 2004, the legislature does not create a new land trust, any land held pursuant to this provision must be managed in accordance with this act.