BILL REQ. #:  H-1097.1 



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HOUSE BILL 1652
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State of Washington60th Legislature2007 Regular Session

By Representatives Grant, Kretz, Hailey, Blake, Pearson, McCoy, B. Sullivan and Kristiansen

Read first time 01/24/2007.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.



     AN ACT Relating to wildfire prevention and protection; creating new sections; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The wildfire prevention and protection work group is established. The work group consists of the following members:
     (1) Two members representing counties that contain significant forest land, grazing land, or both, at least one each from eastern and western Washington, selected by the governor in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of counties;
     (2) A member representing a city that contains significant forest land, grazing land, or both, selected by the governor in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of cities;
     (3) Three members representing fire districts that contain significant forest land, grazing land, or both, at least one each from eastern and western Washington, selected by the state fire marshal in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of fire commissioners;
     (4) Two members representing environmental protection organizations, selected by the executive director of the Washington state conservation commission;
     (5) A member representing industrial forest landowners, selected by the governor in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of industrial landowners;
     (6) A member representing small forest landowners, selected by the governor in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of small forest landowners;
     (7) A member representing the building industry, selected by the governor in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of the building industry;
     (8) A member representing realtors, selected by the governor in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of realtors;
     (9) One representative of agriculture selected by the director of the department of agriculture in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of farmers;
     (10) One contract logger selected by the governor in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of contract loggers;
     (11) One person selected by the director of the department of agriculture in consultation with a statewide association representing the interests of cattlemen;
     (12) One person from the Washington state patrol's fire protection program selected by the state fire marshal;
     (13) One retired professional forester selected by the governor in consultation with an association representing the interests of professional foresters;
     (14) Two forest landowners with large forest lands, one from east of the crest of the Cascade mountains and one from west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, selected by the governor;
     (15) The insurance commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;
     (16) A member representing the Washington state building code council, selected by the chair of the council; and
     (17) The commissioner of public lands, or the commissioner's designee.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The wildfire prevention and protection work group created in section 1 of this act shall review existing fire studies conducted by or for the department of natural resources, the joint legislative audit and review committee, and other organizations. The work group shall review the following issues:
     (a) Whether the forest fire protection assessment rate provides sufficient funding towards the protection of public and private lands from wildfires;
     (b) Whether the statutory limitations on the purposes for which moneys collected through the forest fire protection assessment and from the landowner contingency forest fire suppression account may be expended are warranted;
     (c) Whether the term "forest land," as set forth in RCW 76.04.005, properly defines the scope of land on which the forest fire protection assessment should be assessed;
     (d) Whether forest fire protection assessments are currently being collected from all lands on which the department of natural resources has the duty to impose such assessments;
     (e) Whether the adoption of elements from wildfire programs of other western states would improve wildfire protection and suppression in Washington state;
     (f) Whether the department of natural resources' authority to protect forest land should include the authority to protect structures;
     (g) Whether improvements and efficiencies in the department of natural resources' fire protection activities would impact fire suppression activities and expenses;
     (h) Whether state and local building codes adequately address the dangers posed by development in areas subject to wildfires;
     (i) Whether local government land use regulations, and state advisory and assistance programs, adequately address the dangers posed by development in areas subject to wildfires; and
     (j) Whether insurance rates in Washington state reflect the dangers posed by development in areas subject to wildfires.
     (2) Members of the forest fire prevention and protection work group shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (3) The work group must be staffed by senate committee services and the office of program research.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The wildfire prevention and protection work group shall report its findings and recommendations in the form of draft legislation to the legislature by December 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The sum of thirty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the senate for the travel expenses of the wildfire prevention and protection work group.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   This act expires July 1, 2008.

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