HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2470
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:
Ecology & Parks
Title: An act relating to clarifying the authority of the department of natural resources to issue lesser contractual agreements within existing authorities for state-owned aquatic lands.
Brief Description: Clarifying the authority of the department of natural resources to issue lesser contractual agreements within existing authorities for state-owned aquatic lands.
Sponsors: Representatives Upthegrove, Dickerson, Hinkle, VanDeWege, Kenney, Kretz, Chase and Warnick; by request of Department of Natural Resources.
Brief History:
Ecology & Parks: 1/15/08, 1/22/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Upthegrove, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Dunshee, Eickmeyer, Kristiansen, O'Brien and Pearson.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized to manage and lease aquatic
lands. Leases must be in conformity with all applicable laws and the state Constitution.
A July 2006 court decision (Northlake v. DNR, 134 Wash.App 272) found that the DNR's
leasing authority did not explicitly include lesser use authorizations, such as easements,
licenses, permits, and rights-of-entry. Some of the DNR authorization statutes include lease
language while others include language for lesser agreement types. The court decided this
separation meant that since the lesser agreement types were not included in the section on
leasing aquatic lands, they were not authorized. However, the court did state that the DNR
has been granted authority to manage state aquatic lands and has authority to issue use
permits.
Summary of Bill:
The DNR is given express authority to issue lesser contractual agreements, such as
easements, licenses, permits, and rights-of-entry on leased state-owned aquatic lands.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill helps clarify and update statutes. It does not change the DNR's leasing
authority. It authorizes the DNR to use a variety of real estate tools, and gives no additional
authority to the DNR.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Upthegrove, prime sponsor; and Joe Panesko and Fran McNair, Department of Natural Resources.