HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 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 Passed House:
January 23, 2008

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 offer nominally valuable materials to nonprofit organizations.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, B. Sullivan, Moeller, Kretz, Morris, Strow, Pettigrew, Orcutt, Armstrong, McCoy, Linville, VanDeWege, Takko, Lovick, Williams, Haigh, Sullivan, Sump, Kenney and Ormsby).

Brief History:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/13/07, 2/21/07 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/14/07, 95-0.

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 1/23/08, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources 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.


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.


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 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.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.