BILL REQ. #:  H-0236.1 

Read first time 01/18/11.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     AN ACT Relating to the institute of forest resources; amending RCW 76.44.020, 76.44.030, and 76.44.050; adding new sections to chapter 76.44 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that there are many challenges facing the forest sector, such as climate change, loss of forest cover in rural and urban areas, forest health and fire risks, the development of environmental service markets, the enhancement of habitat and biodiversity, timber and water supply, restoration of forest ecosystems, and the economic health of forest-dependent communities that rely on the retention of working forests.
     (2) The legislature further finds that these forest issues, which occur in both rural and urban environments, and the approaches taken to address the issues, transcend the expertise and mission of the University of Washington school of forest resources and the associated centers and cooperatives. While each of these centers and cooperatives contribute expertise and resources, the structure and continuity for the integrated, interdisciplinary approach needed to address these complex issues is lacking.
     (3) It is the intent of the legislature for the institute of forest resources to provide the structure and continuity needed by drawing contributions from the associated centers and cooperatives into a more consolidated, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and integrated process that is responsive to the critical issues confronting the forest sector.

Sec. 2   RCW 76.44.020 and 1988 c 81 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:
     The institute of forest resources shall be administered and directed by the ((dean of the college)) director of the school of forest resources ((of)) at the University of Washington ((who shall also be the director of the institute)).

Sec. 3   RCW 76.44.030 and 1979 c 50 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The institute of forest resources shall pursue coordinated research and education related to the forest ((resource)) sector and its multiple ((use)) components, including ((its)):
     (a) Forest conservation, restoration, sustainable management, and utilization; ((its))
     (b) The evaluation of the economic, ecological, and societal value of forest land ((use and the maintenance of its)) in both the rural and urban environment;
     (c) The manufacture and marketing of forest products, including timber products, nontimber products, environmental services, and the provision of recreation and aesthetic values.
     (2) The institute of forest resources must seek to provide a framework for identifying, prioritizing, funding, and conducting interdisciplinary research critical to the forest sector and the development of integrated, synthesized information and decision support tools that improve the understanding of complex forestry issues for stakeholders, policymakers, and other interested parties.
     (3) In pursuit of these objectives, the institute of forest resources is authorized to cooperate, when cooperation advances the objectives listed in this section, with other entities, including but not limited to:
     (a) Universities((,));
     (b) State and federal agencies((, industrial institutions,));
     (c) Conservation and environmental organizations;
     (d) Community and urban forestry organizations; and
     (e) Domestic or foreign((, where such cooperation advances these objectives)) industrial and business institutions.

Sec. 4   RCW 76.44.050 and 1979 c 50 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The institute ((is authorized to)) of forest resources may solicit ((and/or accept funds through)) gifts, grants, ((contracts, or institutional consulting arrangements for the prosecution of any research or education activity which it may undertake in pursuit of its objectives)) conveyances, bequests, and devices, including both real or personal property, in trust or otherwise, to be directed to the institute for carrying out the objectives of the institute as provided in this chapter.
     (2) The institute of forest resources may solicit contracts for work, financial and in-kind contributions, and support from private industries, interest groups, federal and state sources, and other sources deemed appropriate by the director of the institute.
     (3) The institute of forest resources may utilize separately appropriated funds of the University of Washington for the institute's operations and activities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 76.44 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The director of the school of forest resources at the University of Washington shall appoint and maintain an eleven-member policy advisory committee to advise the director on policies for the institute of forest resources that are consistent with the institute's objectives as provided in this chapter.
     (2) The membership of the policy advisory committee must represent, to the extent possible, the various interests concerned with the institute of forest resources, including state and federal agencies, tribal governments, conservation and environmental organizations, urban forestry interests, rural communities, industry, and business.
     (3) Members of the advisory committee may not receive any salary or other compensation for service on the advisory committee. However, each member may be compensated, at the discretion of the director of the institute, for each day in actual attendance at or traveling to and from meetings of the advisory committee in accordance with RCW 43.03.220 together with travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 76.44 RCW to read as follows:
     The director of the school of forest resources at the University of Washington shall coordinate the various cooperatives and centers within the school of forest resources to promote a holistic, efficient, and integrated approach that broadens the research and outreach programs and addresses issues facing the forest sector.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   A new section is added to chapter 76.44 RCW to read as follows:
     The institute of forest resources shall provide progress reports regarding the coordination required under section 5 of this act and the overall activities of the institute to the appropriate committees of the legislature, consistent with RCW 43.01.036, by July 1, 2012, and again by July 1, 2013. After July 1, 2013, progress reports must be delivered biennially.