SB 5257

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5257

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 12, 2007

Title: An act relating to changing the name of the interagency committee for outdoor recreation.

Brief Description: Changing the name of the interagency committee for outdoor recreation to the recreation and conservation funding board.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Swecker, Parlette, Rockefeller and Fraser; by request of Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/25/07, 2/12/07 [DP, w/oRec].

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Fraser, Hargrove, Poulsen and Spanel.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Stevens.

Background: The Office of the Interagency Committee, while not explicitly defined in statute, operates under the authorities of the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation and provides staff support to the following five boards: the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation; the Salmon Recovery Funding Board; the Governor's Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health; the Washington Biodiversity Council; and the Invasive Species Council, which is set to sunset on December 31, 2011.

Established by citizen Initiative 215 in 1964, the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) helps finance recreation and conservation projects throughout the state. The eight-member committee consists of the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Director of the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commissioner of Public Lands, and five citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor. The IAC administers several grant programs for recreation and habitat conservation purposes.

Summary of Bill: The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation is renamed as, and its powers and duties are divided between, the Recreation and Conservation Office and the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board.

Duties that had previously been performed by the Office of the Interagency Committee are now identified in statute under the Recreation and Conservation Office.

A sunset date of December 31, 2011, is provided for the invasive species council account.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2007.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation spent the last 18 months doing public outreach to try to determine the proper name to best capture the mission of the IAC. The current name simply does not conform to the current purposes of the committee or its work. It has been 40 years now, and the name needs to be changed.

CON: There is some fear that changing the name of the IAC is actually a signal that the purpose and focus of the IAC is also changing from a focus on outdoor recreation to one of the sole purpose of conservation. Active recreational lands are in short supply, especially in our urban areas and the IAC needs to remain focused on providing more recreational opportunities.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Laura Johnson and Jim Fox, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

CON: Maxine Keesline, King County citizen.