Title: An act relating to adding a representative from a labor organization representing workers in the timber industry to the forest practices board.

Brief Description: Modifying the composition of the forest practices board.

Sponsors: Senators Hargrove, Morton, Hatfield, Schoesler, Shin, McAuliffe, Hobbs, Berkey and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/04/08.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

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.

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 Act. Specifically, the Board is to establish minimum standards for forest practices. The Board adopts rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.

Summary of Bill: A new member is added to the Board selected from candidates recommended by labor organizations that primarily represent members involved in forestry, forest products' production, or both.

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.