Brief Description: Modifying provisions governing the sale of unneeded park land.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen and Morton; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Background: The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) is authorized to dispose of land under its control whenever the Commission finds that such land cannot advantageously be used for park purposes.

Specific procedures are mandated where the Commission seeks to dispose of property by deed to a local government or other entity, to dispose of school or granted lands, or to dispose of lands acquired under restrictive conveyances limiting their use to park purposes. All other lands may be either sold to the highest bidder or exchanged for other lands of equal value.

The Commission is only authorized to sell land through a sealed bid process. Such bids must be solicited at least 20 days in advance of the sale. Solicitation must occur by advertisement, at least once a week for two consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the land to be sold is located.

Summary: The bill authorizes the State Parks and Recreation Commission to sell property using sealed bids, electronic bids, and oral bids at auction.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   0
House      94   0

Effective:   July 22, 2007