HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6559

BYSenators Sellar, Kreidler and Metcalf; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission

Requiring reimbursement for state parks and recreation commission costs of plan review and construction approval for winter recreational facilities.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson, Fuhrman, Hargrove and H. Myers.

House Staff:Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

One of the responsibilities of the State Parks and Recreation Commission is the inspection of existing winter recreation facilities.  The commission is also required to conduct inspections prior to construction of new winter recreation facilities and prior to renovation of facilities.  As part of the inspection process, the commission hires structural engineers to review construction plans, conduct field inspections, and review blueprints.

Currently, the Parks and Recreation Commission is only legally allowed reimbursement by owners and operators for inspections of winter recreational facilities.  The commission does not have statutory authority to seek reimbursement for reviewing plans prior to new construction or prior to renovation of facilities.

SUMMARY:

The owner or operator of recreational devices shall reimburse the Parks and Recreation Commission for construction plan review.  Costs shall be determined on the basis of accurate and complete records of costs incurred for each construction plan review.

The Parks and Recreation Commission shall not be liable for an injury occurring in the course of winter recreation on lands that state parks administers for the purposes of winter recreation.  This exemption from liability does not extend to known dangerous artificial latent conditions for which warning signs have not been conspicuously posted.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Nina Carter, State Parks and Recreation Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The provisions in this bill are identical to HB 2719.  Although the U.S. Forest Service also conducts construction plan reviews, they have agreed to allow the State Parks and Recreation Commission to seek reimbursement from owners and operators of recreational devices.  The U.S. Forest Service will not seek reimbursement for their construction plan reviews.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 97 - 3/2