BILL REQ. #:  S-0839.1 

Read first time 02/04/13.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to state parks funding; amending RCW 82.19.040, 70.93.180, 79A.15.050, and 79A.05.215; and providing an expiration date.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 82.19.040 and 2001 c 118 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) To the extent applicable, all of the definitions of chapter 82.04 RCW and all of the provisions of chapter 82.32 RCW apply to the tax imposed in this chapter.
     (2) Taxes collected under this chapter shall be deposited in the ((waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account under RCW 70.93.180)) state parks renewal and stewardship account under RCW 79A.05.215.

Sec. 2   RCW 70.93.180 and 2011 1st sp.s. c 50 s 963 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is hereby created an account within the state treasury to be known as the "waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account". Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account shall be used as follows:
     (a) Fifty percent to the department of ecology, for use by the departments of ecology, natural resources, revenue, transportation, and corrections, and the parks and recreation commission, for use in litter collection programs, to be distributed under RCW 70.93.220. The amount to the department of ecology shall also be used for a central coordination function for litter control efforts statewide, for the biennial litter survey under RCW 70.93.200(8), and for statewide public awareness programs under RCW 70.93.200(7). The amount to the department shall also be used to defray the costs of administering the funding, coordination, and oversight of local government programs for waste reduction, litter control, and recycling, so that local governments can apply one hundred percent of their funding to achieving program goals((. The amount to the department of revenue shall be used to enforce compliance with the litter tax imposed in chapter 82.19 RCW));
     (b) Twenty percent to the department for local government funding programs for waste reduction, litter control, and recycling activities by cities and counties under RCW 70.93.250, to be administered by the department of ecology; and
     (c) Thirty percent to the department of ecology for waste reduction and recycling efforts.
     (2) All ((taxes imposed in RCW 82.19.010 and)) fines and bail forfeitures collected or received pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account and used for the programs under subsection (1) of this section.
     (3) Not less than five percent and no more than ten percent of the amount appropriated into the waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account every biennium shall be reserved for capital needs, including the purchase of vehicles for transporting crews and for collecting litter and solid waste. Capital funds shall be distributed among state agencies and local governments according to the same criteria provided in RCW 70.93.220 for the remainder of the funds, so that the most effective waste reduction, litter control, and recycling programs receive the most funding. The intent of this subsection is to provide funds for the purchase of equipment that will enable the department to account for the greatest return on investment in terms of reaching a zero litter goal.
     (((4) During the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the account. Additionally, during the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, subsection (1)(a), (b), and (c) of this section is suspended.
     (5) During the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the account. Additionally, during the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, subsection (1)(a), (b), and (c) of this section is suspended.))

Sec. 3   RCW 79A.15.050 and 2007 c 241 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Moneys appropriated for this chapter to the outdoor recreation account shall be distributed in the following way:
     (a) Not less than thirty percent to the state parks and recreation commission for the ((acquisition and development)) renovation and repair of state parks((, with at least fifty percent of the money for acquisition costs)) facilities;
     (b) Not less than thirty percent for the acquisition, development, and renovation of local parks, with at least fifty percent of this money for acquisition costs;
     (c) Not less than twenty percent for the acquisition, renovation, or development of trails;
     (d) Not less than fifteen percent for the acquisition, renovation, or development of water access sites, with at least seventy-five percent of this money for acquisition costs; and
     (e) Not less than five percent for development and renovation projects on state recreation lands. Only the department of natural resources and the department of fish and wildlife may apply for these funds to be used on their existing recreation lands.
     (2)(a) In distributing these funds, the board retains discretion to meet the most pressing needs for state and local parks, trails, and water access sites, and is not required to meet the percentages described in subsection (1) of this section in any one biennium.
     (b) If not enough project applications are submitted in a category within the outdoor recreation account to meet the percentages described in subsection (1) of this section in any biennium, the board retains discretion to distribute any remaining funds to the other categories within the account.
     (3) Only local agencies may apply for acquisition, development, or renovation funds for local parks under subsection (1)(b) of this section.
     (4) Only state and local agencies may apply for funds for trails under subsection (1)(c) of this section.
     (5) Only state and local agencies may apply for funds for water access sites under subsection (1)(d) of this section.

Sec. 4   RCW 79A.05.215 and 2011 c 320 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:
     The state parks renewal and stewardship account is created in the state treasury. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all receipts from user fees, concessions, leases, donations collected under RCW 46.16A.090(3), and other state park-based activities shall be deposited into the account. The proceeds from the recreation access pass account created in RCW 79A.80.090 must be used for the purpose of operating and maintaining state parks. Amounts received under RCW 82.19.040 may be used only for operating, maintaining, repairing, and renovating state parks. Expenditures from the account may be used for operating state parks, developing and renovating park facilities, undertaking deferred maintenance, enhancing park stewardship, and other state park purposes. Expenditures from the account may be made only after appropriation by the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1, 3, and 4 of this act expire June 30, 2017.