Brief Description: Funding conservation districts.

Sponsors: Representatives Linville, Buri, Pettigrew and Chase; by request of Conservation Commission.

Hearing Date: 2/8/05

Staff: Meg Van Schoorl (786-7105).

Background:

The Conservation Commission and 47 Conservation Districts administer a number of programs related to the conservation of natural resources. Under current law, the Commission is authorized to use legislatively-appropriated funds to make grants to conservation districts on the basis of formulas included in the law. Since the inception of the program in 1989, appropriations to the Conservation Commission have resulted in annual grants of approximately $10,000 to each Conservation District, which must be matched dollar for dollar.

Summary of Bill:

The Conservation Commission is given authority to adopt rules concerning eligibility and distribution of grants to conservation districts. Existing statutory formulas governing distribution of grants to conservation districts are repealed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.