Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

ESB 6211

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.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

Defines "good neighbor agreement" to mean an agreement entered into between the state and the United States Forest Service or United States Bureau of Land Management to conduct forestland, watershed, and rangeland restoration activities on federal lands.
Creates the Federal Lands Revolving Account, into which must be deposited all receipts from the proceeds of Good Neighbor Agreements.

Background:

The United States Congress first authorized a Good Neighbor pilot program in 2000 between the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Colorado State Forest Service. Since that time, the Good Neighbor Authority program has expanded to include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in addition to the USFS, and to encompass all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Under Good Neighbor Authority agreements, state agencies are authorized to undertake a broad array of land management activities on USFS and BLM lands, including fuels management, and forest, range, and fisheries habitat restoration.

Summary of Bill:

Within the statute governing public lands management, "Good Neighbor Agreement" means an agreement entered into between the state and the United States Forest Service or United States Bureau of Land Management to conduct forestland, watershed, and rangeland restoration activities on federal lands.

The Federal Lands Revolving Account is created in the custody of the State Treasurer. All receipts from the proceeds of Good Neighbor Agreements must be deposited into the account, as well as all legislative transfers, gifts, grants, and federal funds designated for use in conjunction with a Good Neighbor Agreement. Expenditures from the account are subject to the limitations of the agreements under which the proceeds were generated, and may be used only for the planning and implementation of Good Neighbor Agreements, including management or administrative costs, and relevant goods or services. Only the Commissioner of Public Lands or his or her designee may authorize expenditures from the account. An appropriation is not required for expenditures. Interest on the account accrues to the benefit of the account.