SB 5218

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5218

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 of January 25, 2007

Title: An act relating to the sale of logs and wood from state-owned aquatic lands.

Brief Description: Requiring that certain moneys from the sale of logs or wood from aquatic lands be used to fund the Thomas Burke Memorial Museum.

Background: The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, founded in 1885, is located on the University of Washington campus in Seattle, Washington. The mission of the Burke Museum is to create a better understanding of the world and our place in it. The museum is responsible for Washington State collections of natural history and cultural heritage.

When the state receives revenue from the sale of valuable material from state-owned aquatic lands, funds are first deducted for the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) aquatic lands management costs. The remainder of the revenue from such sales is deposited into the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) within the State Treasury.

After appropriation, funds in ALEA may only be used for:

Summary of Bill: DNR must identify monies deposited into ALEA that are derived from the sales of logs or other wood material from the state-owned aquatic lands of Lake Washington in which the sales were conducted for the principal purpose of deriving revenue.

Not less than biennially, the State Treasurer must transfer those monies identified by DNR from ALEA to the Board of Regents of the University of Washington to be used exclusively for the operation of the Burke Museum.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: OTHER: The Burke Museum is a worthy recipient of funding, but DNR has concerns about the precedent set by diverting money from the ALEA account for nonaquatic purposes.