BILL REQ. #:  H-2247.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/23/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to state parks and recreation funding; amending RCW 79A.05.085; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the state parks and recreation commission administers important public park lands that are both economically and aesthetically important to Washington. The legislature further finds that in times of economic hardship, park lands should be maintained for Washington's citizens and visitors.
     Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to implement programs that will allow park lands to remain open and accessible to all citizens and visitors through times of economic hardship.

Sec. 2   RCW 79A.05.085 and 1974 ex.s. c 151 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall ((determine the fair market value for television station leases based upon independent appraisals and existing leases for television stations shall be extended at said fair market rental for at least one period of not more than twenty years: PROVIDED, That the rates in said leases shall be renegotiated at five year intervals: PROVIDED FURTHER, That said stations shall permit the attachment of antennae of publicly operated broadcast and microwave stations where electronically practical to combine the towers: PROVIDED FURTHER, That)) review and determine the fair market value for all existing leases for telecommunications services facilities based upon independent appraisals and existing leases for telecommunications services facilities. These leases must be extended at the fair market rental for at least one period of not more than twenty years. Leases must be renegotiated every five years.
     (2) Telecommunications services facilities must permit the attachment of antennae of publicly operated broadcast and microwave stations to combine the towers if technically feasible and in compliance with applicable safety standards.
     (3) Notwithstanding any term to the contrary in any lease, this section ((shall)) does not preclude the commission from prescribing new and reasonable lease terms relating to the modification, placement, or design of facilities operated by or for a ((station)) telecommunication service, and any extension of a lease granted under this section ((shall be)) is subject to this ((proviso: PROVIDED FURTHER, That notwithstanding any other provision of law the director in his discretion may waive any requirement that any environmental impact statement or environmental assessment be submitted as to any lease negotiated and signed between January 1, 1974 and December 31, 1974)) subsection.
     (4) The definitions in this section apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Facilities" means all of the plant, equipment, fixtures, appurtenances, antennas, and other facilities necessary to furnish and deliver telecommunications services and cable television services, including but not limited to poles with crossarms, poles without crossarms, wires, lines, conduits, cables, communication and signal lines and equipment, braces, guys, anchors, vaults, and all attachments, appurtenances, and appliances necessary or incidental to the distribution and use of telecommunications services and cable television services.
     (b) "Telecommunications service" means the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means for hire, sale, or resale to the general public. For the purpose of this subsection, "information" means knowledge or intelligence represented by any form of writing, signs, signals, pictures, sounds, or any other symbols.