SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6141

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 Passed Senate, March 14, 2007

Title: An act relating to forest health.

Brief Description: Regarding forest health.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Morton).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/28/07 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means: 3/05/07, 3/05/07 [DPS(NROR)].

Passed Senate: 3/14/07, 49-0.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Designates the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as the state lead in developing a comprehensive forest health program.
    • Creates a three tiered system to address forest health issues:
      • Tier 1 consists of voluntary landowner actions and technical assistance provided by DNR.
        • Tier 2 consists of landowner actions recommended by DNR to manage developing or existing threats to forest health.
          • Tier 3 consists of mandatory landowner actions required by DNR to manage significant threats to forest health.
            • Sets requirements for the administration of the forest health program.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6141 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Poulsen, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6141 as recommended by Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hewitt, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.

Staff: Kirstan Arestad (786-7708)

Background:









Summary of Substitute Bill:

Three tiered system:
      
      
      

Requirements for a forest health warning or order:





Landowner duties and liability:









Appropriation:

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 (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): None.

Persons Testifying (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): No one.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute Bill (Ways & Means): PRO: Bill has been in progress since 2003. Forest health is a vital part of the triangle with prevention and suppression of forest fire. This bill is a good investment in addressing fire costs. Fire costs in the state has exceeded all expectations. The intensity and size of fires have increased. I request your support because we have a forest health crisis in Washington and the time to take action is now. The bill is supported by three years of leadership and work by DNR and multiple stakeholders. People of Washington will benefit from adoption of this legislation. Healthy forests provide a wide variety of services and it is critical to take action.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Miguel Perez-Gibson, Audubon Washington; Vicki Christiansen, DNR.