| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee | |
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.
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 Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/13/07
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
The state is the trustee of nearly 3 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.
Summary of Bill:
The Department is authorized to provide non-profit organizations with fallen woody debris,
boulders, and other materials of nominal value free of charge if the materials are intended to be
used for an aquatic habitat rehabilitation project. The Department may evaluate, condition, or
deny any requests from a non-profit organization for the provision of materials.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.