HOUSE BILL REPORT
HJM 4010
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Capital Budget
Brief Description: Requesting that the Blanchard State Forest be renamed the "Harriet A. Spanel-Blanchard State Forest."
Sponsors: Representatives Morris and Lytton.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Capital Budget: 2/17/17, 2/23/17 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 18 members: Representatives Tharinger, Chair; Doglio, Vice Chair; Peterson, Vice Chair; DeBolt, Ranking Minority Member; Smith, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dye, Johnson, Koster, Kraft, MacEwen, Macri, Morris, Reeves, Riccelli, Ryu, Sells, Steele and Stonier.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative J. Walsh.
Staff: Christine Thomas (786-7142).
Background:
The Board of Natural Resources in its role as the the Board of Geographic Names (BGN), with assistance from the Committee on Geographic Names, officially approves names for lakes, mountains, streams, places, towns, and other geographic features within the state. According to the BGN policy, commemorative names must be consistent with the following standard: "The person being honored should have had either some direct or long-term association with the feature or have made a significant contribution to the area in which it is located...." An example of "direct or long-term association" includes a person who played a large part in protecting the land for the public benefit. Commemorative name proposals should show evidence of local support for the name and provide evidence of historical significance and address other decision factors. Approved geographic names are officially recorded in rule.
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Summary of Bill:
It is requested that the Board of Geographic Names renames the Blanchard State Forest as the "Harriet A. Spanel-Blanchard State Forest" in honor of Harriet Spanel.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support). In her many years of public service as a former member of the House of Representatives and Senator, Harriet Spanel worked to protect public lands in the Whatcom and Skagit areas of the state. Harriet was passionate about preserving public lands for future generations while utilizing the land for multiple purposes. Naming the Blanchard Working Forest, located in the Fortieth Legislative District, after Harriet Spanel is an appropriate way to memorialize her service to the district and is supported by her family.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Morris, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.