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

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

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Oke and Shin; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/19/06, 1/26/06 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6205 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Morton, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) is authorized to dispose of land under its control whenever the Commission finds that such land cannot advantageously be used for park purposes. Specific procedures are mandated where the Commission seeks to dispose of property by deed to a local government or other entity, to dispose of school or granted lands, or to dispose of lands acquired under restrictive conveyances limiting their use to park purposes. All other lands may be either sold to the highest bidder or exchanged for other lands of equal value.

The Commission is only authorised to sell land through a sealed bid process. Such bids must be solicited at least 20 days in advance of the sale. Solicitation must occur by advertisement, at least once a week for two consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the land to be sold is located.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The authority of the Commission is expanded to allow property sales using sealed bids, electronic bids, and oral bids at auction.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Language is clarified and the term "bonus bid" is replaced by "oral bids at auction."

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: While some other agencies have options for selling surplus property, the Commission is limited to the sealed bid method. Increased flexibility for land sales would allow the Commission to reach a larger potential audience for sales.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Fred Romero, State Parks.