HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2893
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 Legislature
Title: An act relating to the composition of the forest practices board.
Brief Description: Modifying the composition of the forest practices board.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives VanDeWege, Kessler, Moeller, Sells, Hunt, Takko, McCoy, Liias, Conway, Haigh, Blake, Ormsby, Loomis, O'Brien, Eickmeyer, Hasegawa, Green, Pearson and Nelson).
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 1/31/08, 2/5/08 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/15/08, 90-4.
Passed Senate: 3/6/08, 48-1.
Passed Legislature.
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 13 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Van De Wege, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Eickmeyer, Grant, Kristiansen, Lantz, Loomis, McCoy, Nelson, Newhouse and Orcutt.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
The Forest Practices Board of Washington was created in order to integrate the laws, rules,
and programs governing forest practices and hydraulic projects. Membership consists of the
directors of the Departments of Agriculture, Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, and Community,
Trade and Economic Development, and the Commissioner of Public Lands. In addition, an
elected member of a county legislative authority and six members of the general public (one
of them being an independent logging contractor, one owning less than 500 acres of forest
land) are appointed by the Governor. Each member is appointed for a term of four years.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The Governor will appoint a representative of the timber products union to the Forest
Practices Board from a list of three names submitted by a timber labor coalition affiliated
with a statewide labor organization representing a majority of the timber products unions in
Washington.
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) Opportunities for change on the Forest Practices Board are limited. Most of the
six seats are appointed by tradition. Labor can add significantly to the decisions of the Forest
Practices Board. Each of the six traditional seats should not be specified. Unions have a
long history of advocacy for forest practices, as well as participating in decision-making
organizations. Many jobs are created by the forest industry, and labor should therefore be on
the Forest Practices Board.
(Opposed) The Forest Practices Board is delicately balanced. If the Legislature starts naming
the traditional seats, there is concern that it will become a "me too" situation. The industry
will have influence on the composition of the Forest Practices Board; therefore the labor
representative should be an independent spot on the Forest Practices Board.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Van De Wege, prime sponsor; Doug
Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands; and Debora Munguia, Washington Forest
Protection Association.
(Opposed) Heath Packard, Audubon Society; and Jack Turner.