SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6102

BYSenator Conner

Authorizing state jurisdiction over certain lands previously under federal jurisdiction.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Halsan, Hayner, Madsen, Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Lidia Mori (786-7418)

                  February 12, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Ten years ago the federal government redefined the boundaries of the Olympic National Park.  The boundaries had been previously drawn in a somewhat zig-zag pattern following the ridge line above the rivers.  The new boundaries followed a more straight line and consequently there were triangles of land either left within the park or excluded from the park.  The parcels of land which were left out of the park are still under federal jurisdiction yet are not part of the park.  They are also not under Washington jurisdiction.  According to federal law, Washington needs only to accept jurisdiction over those parcels in order to obtain it.

One section of land excluded from the park boundaries was returned to the Quileute Indian tribe.  However, the federal government retained exclusive jurisdiction.  The residents of that area are technically not eligible to vote in Washington because it is a federal enclave.

SUMMARY:

Washington accepts retrocession from the United States of jurisdiction over those parcels of land which were excluded from the boundaries of the Olympic National Park.  The section of land restored to the Quileute Indian Reservation is under Washington state and tribal jurisdiction just as any other land within the Quileute Reservation.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 29, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: No one