HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1879
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to allowing the department of natural resources to provide nonprofit organizations with nominally valuable materials.
Brief Description: Authorizing the department of natural resources to give nominally valuable materials to nonprofit organizations.
Sponsors: Representatives Blake, B. Sullivan, Moeller, Kretz, Morris, Strow, Pettigrew, Orcutt, Armstrong, McCoy, Linville, VanDeWege, Takko, Lovick, Williams, Haigh, P. Sullivan, Sump, Kenney and Ormsby.
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/13/07, 2/21/07 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
The state is the trustee of nearly three million acres of upland properties. Roughly two-thirds
of these properties are forested, with the majority of the other parcels managed for agriculture
or commercial development. The Legislature has vested specific authority for the
Department of Natural Resources (Department) to sell timber and other valuable resources
from these state lands. The Department sells a variety of resources from state lands,
including timber, stone, gravel, and geoducks. Valuable materials may be sold separately
from the land when the Department concludes that doing so is in the best interest of the state.
Any application for the purchase of valuable materials must be accompanied by an appraisal.
Valuable materials may not be sold for less than their appraised value. Materials valued
under $25,000 may be sold by the Department in a direct sale. Direct sales are conducted
without notice or advertising.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The Department is authorized to sell fallen woody debris, boulders, and other materials in a
direct sale if the material is to be used in a publicly-funded aquatic habitat improvement
project. The Department must receive full appraised compensation, if there is a value, for all
materials sold.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The original bill authorized the Department to provide non-profit organizations with fallen
woody debris, boulders, and other materials of nominal value free of charge if the materials
were intended to be used for an aquatic habitat rehabilitation project.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill was envisioned by non-profit organizations and represents a good
government measure. The state gets a great benefit from volunteers, and they should be
supported. The fallen debris and other materials in the bill have little or no economic value,
but carry a substantial habitat value for salmon.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Eric Johnson, Washington State Association of Counties; and Bill Robinson, The Nature Conservancy.