HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5993

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Stratton, Newhouse and Hayner)

Promoting the use of one thousand acres leased on the Hanford reservation.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Cantwell, Chair; Wineberry, Vice Chair; Doty, Ranking Republican Member; Kremen, Moyer, Rasmussen, Raiter, Rector, Schoon, Tate, Walk and Youngsman.

House Staff:Bill Lynch (786-7092)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MARCH 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1964 the state entered into a 99 year lease of 1,000 acres of federal land located at Hanford.  The lease stipulates that the state may sublease the land for encouraging nuclear-related industry to locate on the site.  Original oversight of the lease was under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

The Department of Ecology presently oversees the lease.  The state has subleased 100 acres to one firm which operates a commercial low-level radioactive disposal facility on the site.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Trade and Economic Development is directed to promote the existence of the lease and the possibility of subleases for nuclear related industries.

Appropriation:    $40,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Trade and Economic Development.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Max Benitz, Prime Sponsor.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The property governed by the lease is under-utilized.  If there was more promotion of the availability of the property, more businesses are likely to be established at the site.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.