SENATE 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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, February 27, 2008
Title: An act relating to the composition of the forest practices board.
Brief Description: Modifying the composition of the forest practices board.
Sponsors: 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: Passed House: 2/15/08, 90-4.
Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/27/08 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Rockefeller and Stevens.
Staff: Sherry McNamara (786-7402)
Background: In 1974 the Legislature passed the Forest Practices Act which established a nine-member Forest Practices Board (Board). The Board is an independent state agency chaired by
the Commissioner of Public Lands who administers the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
In 1975 the Board added two additional members from the general public; an owner of not more
than 500 acres of forest land and an independent logging contractor. In 1999 the Director of the
Department of Fish and Wildlife was added as a member to the Board.
The Board currently has 12 members and consists of the Departments of Agriculture, Ecology,
Fish and Wildlife, Community Trade and Economic Development, and the Commissioner of
Public Lands. In addition, the Board has an elected member of a county legislative authority and
six members of the general public. Each member is appointed for a term of four years.
The statute directs the Forest Practices Board to adopt rules where necessary to accomplish the
purposes and policies established by the Legislature and to implement other provisions of the
forest practices' chapter. Specifically, the Board is to establish minimum standards for forest
practices. The Board adopts rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.
Summary of 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.
The required representation on the Forest Practices Board for a person who owns less than 500
acres is changed to a small forest landowner who actively manages his or her land.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute Bill: PRO: There have been 12 members on the Forest Practices Board for many years. Labor has not been able to sit on the Board. The decisions of the Board affect the lives of the thousands of workers in the timber and wood product industry. It is important to bring this perspective to the Board.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands; Debora Munguia, Washington Forest Protection Association; Steve Fluke, International Association of Machinists, Woodworkers; Jeff Johnson, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; John Littel, Carpenters.