SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5324

BYSenators Metcalf, Owen, Sutherland, Johnson, Kreidler, DeJarnatt, Bluechel, Sellar, Saling, Bailey, Gaspard and Lee; by request of Governor

Continuing interagency committee for outdoor recreation.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1989; February 8, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5324 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453)

                  March 8, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) was created in 1964 by Initiative 215, primarily for the purpose of administering state and federal grant funds for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities.  The IAC is comprised of nine members:  the directors of the Departments of Natural Resources, Fisheries, Wildlife, and the Parks and Recreation Commission, and five members of the public at large appointed by the Governor.  The Governor appoints the chair from among the citizen members.  The committee appoints a director who serves as the chief administrative officer of the IAC, but the committee retains statutory administrative authority over the agency.

The IAC administers grants from an outdoor recreation account funded by a variety of sources, including unreclaimed marine fuel tax revenues, recreation bond issues, gasoline fuel excise taxes, and the federal land and water conservation fund.  The IAC also performs statewide planning and intergovernmental liaison services for outdoor recreation.

RCW 43.99.115 terminates the IAC on June 30, 1989, unless the agency is reauthorized by law.  In 1987 the Legislature directed the Governor's office to submit a report by January 1, 1989, and to recommend whether or not the IAC should be merged into another executive agency or retained as a separate agency.  In so acting, the Legislature expressed its intent that the IAC retain its general structure and its independence from agencies that receive IAC grant funds.

SUMMARY:

The director of the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation is assigned enumerated powers and duties, including administrative supervision of the IAC, and the administration of grant programs.  The director is also to:  (1) provide technical assistance to state and local agencies; (2) enter into agreements with private nonprofit corporations to further state recreational resource goals; (3) maintain a recreation data repository; and (4) encourage interagency coordination and cooperative efforts between public and private entities involved in recreational resources.

The director is also to prepare and maintain a strategic plan for promoting recreational resource acquisition, renovation and development.  The plan is to be developed in coordination with local, state and federal agencies, the private sector and the general public.  The committee is to review the plan and submit its recommendations to the Governor.

The director is to be appointed by the Governor.  The director is to be responsible for carrying out specific statutory duties assigned to the committee under existing law.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Provisions in the bill for appointment of the IAC director by the Governor are deleted.  Existing law providing for employment of a director by the committee, together with other personnel, is restored.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 18, 1989

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect June 30, 1989.

Senate Committee - Testified: Fred Hellberg, Governor's office (pro); Bob Wilder, IAC (pro); Anne Cox, IAC (pro); Richard Winters, National Park Service (pro); Byron Olson, Washington Recreation and Parks Association (pro); Ruth Ittner, The Mountaineers (pro); Jane Boubel, City of Olympia (pro); Jim Sheler, City of Lacey (pro); Barney Wilson, City of Kent (pro); Ralph Mackey, Snohomish County (pro); Stan Finkelstein, Association of Washington Cities (pro); Jan Tveten, State Parks (pro); Dave Rogers, Washington Public Park Association (pro); Jon Aarstad, Skagit County Parks and Recreation (pro); Susan Anderson, Washington Trails Association (pro)