FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6372

                                  C 128 L 88

BYSenators Pullen, Talmadge and McCaslin; by request of Department of Natural Resources and Statute Law Committee

Correcting obsolete statutory references involving natural resources.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committe on State Government

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1979, the office of the Code Reviser began the process of cleaning up obsolete references in Washington statutes.  Legislation often devolves powers onto newly created agencies or transfers powers from one agency to another but does not amend every section to refer to the proper agency.  There are concerns that the Washington code may not be as useful to the public when it contains inaccurate references or references to agencies that do not exist. 

The Division of Forestry of the Department of Conservation and Development, the Board of State Land Commissioners, the State Forest Board, and all state sustained yield forest committees were abolished in 1957 and their powers and duties transferred to the Department of Natural Resources.  The department also received the forestry powers and duties of the Director of Conservation and Development.  In addition, the powers of the Capital Committee under RCW 79.24.010 through 79.24.087 were transferred to the department.  The Board of Natural Resources was directed to perform the appraisal, appeal, approval, and hearing functions.

SUMMARY:

References to obsolete agencies are corrected and replaced at the appropriate places by references to the Department or Board of Natural Resources or the Commissioner of Public Lands.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    45     0

      House 97   0 (House amended)

      Senate    48     0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988