HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2627

         As Reported by House Committee On:       
Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks

Title: An act relating to disposal of unneeded park land.

Brief Description: Modifying provisions governing the sale of unneeded park land.

Sponsors: Representatives B. Sullivan, Buck and Upthegrove; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks: 1/24/06, 1/27/06 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Provides that bids to buy state park land may be in the form of an electronic bid or an oral bid at auction, in addition to a sealed bid.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Upthegrove, Vice Chair; Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Chandler, Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Hunt, Kagi and Orcutt.

Staff: Amy Van Horn (786-7168).

Background:

The Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) may sell any land under its control that cannot be advantageously used for park purposes. Lands may be sold to the highest bidder or exchanged for other lands, and all conveyance documents must be executed by the Governor. In order to put land up for sale, the Commission must solicit sealed bids in advance in the newspaper of the local county.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

In addition to soliciting sealed bids for park land sales, the Commission may also solicit electronic bids or oral bids at auction.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute incorporates a technical amendment making clear the Commission's authority to accept sealed bids, electronic bids, or oral bids at auction.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Electronic bidding helps to sell low-value property, so that people who live far away can still bid. Only about 10 percent of sales would take advantage of the new authority to use electronic bids and live auctions.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Fred Romero and Steve Hahn, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.