Title: An act relating to the Vancouver national historic reserve.

Brief Description: Concerning the Vancouver national historic reserve.

Sponsors: Representatives Fromhold, Orcutt, Moeller, Wallace, Dunn and B. Sullivan.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/07/07, 95-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/20/07 [DPA].

Ways & Means: 3/30/07, 4/02/07 [DPA(GO)].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Kline, Pridemore and Swecker.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended by Committee on Government Operations & Elections.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.

Staff: Paula Moore (786-7449)

Background: The Vancouver National Historic Reserve (Reserve) was created by Congress in 1996 in recognition of the cultural, historic, and natural resources of the area. The Reserve includes Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver Barracks, Pearson Air Museum, Pearson Airfield, Officers Row, and a section of the Columbia river waterfront. The Reserve is managed by a partnership composed of the National Park Service, the United States Army, the state of Washington, and the city of Vancouver. A management plan for the Reserve was adopted in 2000, with the state of Washington as one of the signatories.

Summary of Bill: The Legislature affirms that the state is a partner in the Reserve and will take an active role in supporting the protection, preservation, interpretation, and rehabilitation of the Reserve. The Washington State Historical Society is the state's designated partner representative for the Reserve. The State Historical Society is directed to participate in coordination meetings and in the development of plans and policies associated with the Reserve, to partner with Washington State University and other agencies to manage the Center for Columbia River History, to develop and submit operating and capital budget requests, and to oversee the management of all funds appropriated by the state for the Reserve.

The Vancouver National Historic Reserve account is created in the State Treasury. Monies in the account may be spent only after an appropriation and must be used to finance the development and operation of the Reserve.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED STRIKING AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Government Operations & Elections): The language creating the Vancouver National Historic Reserve account is eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Government Operations & Elections): PRO: The proponents would prefer the Senate version of the bill, which eliminates the account created in the bill. The Reserve has unique historical assets, and the proponents would appreciate favorable consideration of the bill.

Persons Testifying (Government Operations & Elections): PRO: Mark Brown, Vancouver Historic Reserve Trust and City of Vancouver; Dave Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill will provide improved stewardship for significant historic sites throughout Clark County.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Mark Brown, City of Vancouver, Vancouver National Historic Reserve.