SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1616

BYRepresentatives Sprenkle, Ballard, K. Wilson, Sutherland, Jones, Vekich, Miller, Haugen, Basich, O'Brien, Sayan, Spanel and Unsoeld

Authorizing purchase of certain state trust lands for parks use.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 25, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Patterson.

Senate Staff:Kaleen Cottingham (786-7415)

                  February 25, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 29, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Deccio, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Charles Langen (786-7715)

                  February 29, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 29, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The 1985 Legislature authorized the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Parks and Recreation Commission to review trust lands held by the DNR which may be appropriate for acquisition by the commission.  The study identified 22 parcels, totalling 6,626 acres.  Estimated value of both the land and timber was approximately $15 million.  The Legislature authorized sale of seven of the 22 parcels in 1987.

The Legislature has authorized numerous transfers between these two agencies; 36 parcels are currently under contract for acquisition based on fair market value.

The commission pays about $3 million a biennium to DNR in principal and interest.  By the late 1990's, the commission will have obtained title to all the land and timber on the 36 parcels under contract.  The DNR uses the funds from the land sales to obtain replacement property to maintain the trust land base.

SUMMARY:

The Board of Natural Resources and the Parks and Recreation Commission shall negotiate a sale of the remaining 15 DNR managed parcels identified in the joint study authorized in 1985.  The parcels cover about 5,600 acres.

Funds for acquisition of these parcels come from the Trust Land Purchase Account which is funded by park entrance fees.

DNR shall use the funds from the sale of these trust lands to acquire property to replace the trust property sold to the commission.

In recognition of the impact on management caused by delays in receiving income from contract land sales, the board and commission shall prepare a report to the Legislature on various alternative methods to accelerate reimbursement to the trusts.  The report is due no later than December 15, 1988.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES:  Cleve Pinnix, State Parks (for); Gloria Perchynski, Sunbanks (for); William Brown, Sunbanks (for); Fran Scheiderich, Sunbanks (for); Pat McElroy DNR (for)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  no one