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THIRTY-EIGHTH DAY
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NOON SESSION
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Senate Chamber, Olympia, Wednesday, February 19, 2003
The Senate was called to order at 12:00 noon by President Pro Tempore Winsley. No roll call was taken.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Sheahan, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
February 17, 2003
SB 5074 Prime Sponsor, Senator Morton: Establishing contract harvesting of timber on state trust lands. Reported by Committee on Ways and Means
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5074 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Rossi, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Brown, Doumit, Fraser, Hale, Honeyford, Johnson, Parlette, Regala, Roach, Sheahan, B. Sheldon and Winsley.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 18, 2003
SB 5140 Prime Sponsor, Senator Carlson: Using revenues under the county conservation futures levy. Reported by Committee on Parks, Fish and Wildlife
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5140 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Doumit, Jacobsen, Morton, Spanel and Swecker.
HOLD.
February 18, 2003
SB 5157 Prime Sponsor, Senator Morton: Changing qualifications for appointment to the veterinary board of governors. Reported by Committee on Agriculture
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5157 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Swecker, Chair; Brandland, Vice Chair; Jacobsen, Rasmussen and Sheahan.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 17, 2003
SB 5175 Prime Sponsor, Senator Doumit: Increasing the monthly pensions for volunteer fire fighters and reserve officers. Reported by Committee on Ways and Means
MAJORITY Recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Rossi, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Brown, Doumit, Fairley, Fraser, Hale, Honeyford, Johnson, Parlette, Poulsen, Regala, Roach, Sheahan, B. Sheldon and Winsley.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 18, 2003
SB 5196 Prime Sponsor, Senator Swecker: Regulating the sale, processing, or purchase of agricultural products. Reported by Committee on Agriculture
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5196 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Swecker, Chair; Brandland, Vice Chair; Jacobsen, Rasmussen and Sheahan.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 18, 2003
SB 5205 Prime Sponsor, Senator Roach: Providing for electronic monitoring for all level 2 and level 3 sex offenders. Reported by Committee on Children and Family Services and Corrections
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5205 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove and McAuliffe.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
February 18, 2003
SB 5215 Prime Sponsor, Senator Hargrove: Modifying the personal use shellfish license fee. Reported by Committee on Parks, Fish and Wildlife
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5215 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Sheahan, Vice Chair; Doumit, Esser, Jacobsen, Morton, Spanel and Swecker.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
February 18, 2003
SB 5223 Prime Sponsor, Senator Keiser: Authorizing mental health advance directives. Reported by Committee on Children and Family Services and Corrections
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5223 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 18, 2003
SB 5234 Prime Sponsor, Senator Shin: Requiring helmets within public skate parks. Reported by Committee on Parks, Fish and Wildlife
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5234 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Sheahan, Vice Chair; Doumit, Esser, Jacobsen, Spanel and Swecker.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 18, 2003
SB 5358 Prime Sponsor, Senator West: Authorizing issuance of high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean conflict who were honorably discharged and left high school before graduation to serve in the Korean conflict. Reported by Committee on Education
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5358 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Johnson, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Carlson, Eide, Finkbeiner, McAuliffe, Rasmussen and Schmidt.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 17, 2003
SB 5409 Prime Sponsor, Senator Mulliken: Providing for direct petition annexations. Reported by Committee on Land Use and Planning
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5409 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Mulliken, Chair; Kline, McCaslin, Morton and T. Sheldon.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 17, 2003
SB 5472 Prime Sponsor, Senator Mulliken: Providing a tax exemption for property that has declined in value due to shoreline regulation. Reported by Committee on Land Use and Planning
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5472 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Mulliken, Chair; McCaslin, Morton and T. Sheldon.
MINORITY Recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senator Kline.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
February 18, 2003
SB 5542 Prime Sponsor, Senator Hargrove: Limiting liability for specified state workers for errors of judgment. Reported by Committee on Children and Family Services and Corrections
MAJORITY Recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 17, 2003
SB 5545 Prime Sponsor, Senator Esser: Using fees to develop and maintain a web-based vital records system. Reported by Committee on Technology and Communications
MAJORITY Recommendation: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways and Means. Signed by Senators Esser, Chair; Finkbeiner, Vice Chair; Reardon, Schmidt and Stevens.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means..
February 17, 2003
SB 5574 Prime Sponsor, Senator Finkbeiner: Clarifying district court jurisdiction over actions involving commercial electronic mail. Reported by Committee on Technology and Communications
MAJORITY Recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Esser, Chair; Finkbeiner, Vice Chair; Eide, Reardon, Schmidt and Stevens.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 18, 2003
SB 5673 Prime Sponsor, Senator Brandland: Clarifying that confinement facilities are not liable for former confined persons' acts after release. Reported by Committee on Children and Family Services and Corrections
MAJORITY Recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 17, 2003
SB 5680 Prime Sponsor, Senator Mulliken: Allowing counties with low population densities to be exempt from GMA review requirements. Reported by Committee on Land Use and Planning
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5680 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Mulliken, Chair; McCaslin, Morton and T. Sheldon.
MINORITY Recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senator Kline.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 17, 2003
SB 5690 Prime Sponsor, Senator Rossi: Limiting the taxability of certain internet transactions. Reported by Committee on Technology and Communications
MAJORITY Recommendation: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways and Means. Signed by Senators Esser, Chair; Finkbeiner, Vice Chair; Eide, Reardon, Schmidt and Stevens.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
February 18, 2003
SB 5775 Prime Sponsor, Senator Oke: Providing funding for state parks and outdoor recreation facilities. Reported by Committee on Parks, Fish and Wildlife
MAJORITY Recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5775 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Sheahan, Vice Chair; Doumit, Jacobsen, Morton, Spanel and Swecker.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
February 17, 2003
SB 5802 Prime Sponsor, Senator Mulliken: Transferring the assets and liabilities of certain fire protection districts. Reported by Committee on Land Use and Planning
MAJORITY Recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Mulliken, Chair; Kline, McCaslin, Morton and T. Sheldon.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 17, 2003
SB 5846 Prime Sponsor, Senator Sheahan: Establishing a civil equal justice surcharge of ninety dollars on superior court filings, dedicating the use of the state's share of such a surcharge to civil indigent representation, creating a civil equal justice account in the treasury, and providing support for local county law libraries. Reported by Committee on Ways and Means
MAJORITY Recommendation: That the bill be referred to Committee on Judiciary without recommendation. Signed by Senators Rossi, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Brown, Doumit, Fairley, Fraser, Hale, Johnson, Parlette, Poulsen, Roach, Sheahan, B. Sheldon and Winsley.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
MOTIONS
On motion of Senator Sheahan, Senate Bill No. 5205, Senate No. 5215, Senate Bill No. 5472, and Senate Bill No. 5775 were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
On motion of Senator Sheahan, Senate Bill No. 5140 was held at the desk.
MESSAGES FROM STATE AGENCIES
AUDIT SUMMARY
Olympic Community College
July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002
ABOUT THE AUDIT
This report contains the results of our independent accountability audit of Olympic Community College for the period July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002.
We performed audit procedures to determine whether the College complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures. We also evaluated the internal controls established by College management. Our work focused on specific areas that have potential for abuse or misuse of public resources.
RESULTS
In most areas, the College complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures. However, we identified one condition significant enough to report as a finding:
* Weak cash receipting internal controls at the Food Service Department increased the risk that errors and irregularities could occur and not be detected by management in a timely manner.
The College has a proactive approach to responding to audit concerns and is committed to resolving the issues we identified.
RELATED REPORTS
In accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, we annually audit major federal programs administered by the state of Washington. Rather than perform a single audit at each agency, we audit the state as a whole and publish the results in a separate statewide single audit report.
Our opinion on the state’s general purpose financial statements is expressed in the Washington State Comprehensive Annual Financial Report issued by the Office of Financial Management. In providing our opinion, we limit our audit scope to those agencies that have large account balances.
The College is part of the state community and technical college system. All public community and technical colleges submit their financial information to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges where the information is combined and we examine the large consolidated account balances as part of our audit of the state’s general purpose financial statements.
CLOSING REMARKS
We appreciate the College’s prompt attention and commitment to address the condition reported in this audit. We also thank College officials and personnel for their assistance and cooperation.
The State Auditor’s Audit Summary Report for Olympic Community College is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
AUDIT SUMMARY
Yakima Valley Community College
July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002
ABOUT THE AUDIT
This report contains the results of our independent audit of Yakima Valley Community College for the period July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002.
We performed audit procedures to determine whether the College complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures. We also evaluated the internal controls established by College management. Our work focused on specific areas that have potential for abuse and misuse of public resources.
RESULTS
Yakima Valley Community College complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas we examined. Internal controls were adequate to safeguard public assets.
RELATED REPORTS
Yakima Valley Community College is included in the State of Washington Comprehensive Annual Financial Report issued by the Office of Financial Management. The results of this audit will be issued in a separate report.
CLOSING REMARKS
We thank College officials and personnel for their assistance and cooperation during the audit.
The State Auditor’s Audit Summary Report for Yakima Valley Community College is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
AUDIT SUMMARY
Everett Community College
July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002
ABOUT THE AUDIT
This report contains the results of our independent audit of Everett Community College for the period July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002.
We performed audit procedures to determine whether the College complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures. We also evaluated the internal controls established by College management. Our work focused on specific areas that have a high potential for abuse and misuse of public resources.
RESULTS
In the areas examined, the College complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures.
CLOSING REMARKS
We thank College officials and personnel for their assistance and cooperation during the audit.
The State Auditor’s Audit Summary Report for Everett Community College is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
SB 5893 by Senator Oke
AN ACT Relating to fish and wildlife automated recreational licensing; and amending RCW 77.32.050.
Referred to Committee on Parks, Fish and Wildlife.
SB 5894 by Senator Keiser
AN ACT Relating to voiding an election; and amending RCW 42.17.390.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations and Elections.
SB 5895 by Senators Rasmussen, Swecker, Shin and Sheahan
AN ACT Relating to requiring the apple commission board positions to be composed of fifteen members allocated on a geographic basis; and amending RCW 15.24.020 and 15.24.030.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture.
SB 5896 by Senators Schmidt, Prentice, Winsley, Fairley, Roach and Franklin
AN ACT Relating to vehicle brokers; and amending RCW 46.70.011 and 46.70.041.
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Trade.
SB 5897 by Senators Franklin, Hargrove, Stevens, McAuliffe, Regala, Kline, Rasmussen, Fairley, Spanel, Fraser, Keiser, Kohl-Welles and B. Sheldon
AN ACT Relating to genetic testing as a condition of employment; and adding a new section to chapter 49.44 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Trade.
SB 5898 by Senators Oke, Doumit, Esser, Jacobsen, Swecker, Fraser and Shin
AN ACT Relating to recreational boating; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Parks, Fish and Wildlife.
SB 5899 by Senators Finkbeiner, Reardon, Esser, Hewitt and Schmidt
AN ACT Relating to the provision of wholesale telecommunications services by public utility districts; amending RCW 54.16.330; and adding a new section to chapter 54.16 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Technology and Communications.
SB 5900 by Senators Horn, Reardon, Rossi, T. Sheldon, Mulliken, Esser and Schmidt (by request of Governor Locke)
AN ACT Relating to changing requirements regarding state and local tax to provide for municipal business and occupation tax uniformity and fairness; adding new sections to chapter 35.21 RCW; creating new sections; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
SB 5901 by Senators Kohl-Welles, Jacobsen, Schmidt, Shin, Kline and B. Sheldon
AN ACT Relating to the payment of part-time faculty at colleges and four-year institutions; and amending RCW 42.16.010.
Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
SB 5902 by Senators Kohl-Welles and Schmidt
AN ACT Relating to fiscal reform; amending RCW 82.03.130, 82.03.140, 2.10.180, 2.12.090, 6.13.030, 41.24.240, 41.35.100, 41.40.052, 41.44.240, and 43.43.310; reenacting and amending RCW 6.15.020, 41.32.052, and 41.26.053; adding a new title to the Revised Code of Washington to be codified as Title 82A RCW; creating a new section; repealing RCW 6.15.025; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
SB 5903 by Senators Hargrove, Stevens and Carlson
AN ACT Relating to juvenile offender sentences; amending RCW 13.40.160; reenacting and amending RCW 13.40.0357 and 13.40.165; adding new sections to chapter 13.40 RCW; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Children and Family Services and Corrections.
SB 5904 by Senators Deccio, Thibaudeau, Winsley, Franklin, Parlette, Keiser, Brandland, Benton, Carlson, Hale, Johnson, Kline, McAuliffe, McCaslin, Mulliken, Oke, Rasmussen, West, Finkbeiner, Kohl-Welles, Shin, Stevens, Esser and B. Sheldon
AN ACT Relating to prescription drug assistance programs for seniors; adding new sections to chapter 74.09 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 41.05 RCW; and creating new sections.
Referred to Committee on Health and Long-Term Care.
SB 5905 by Senators Swecker and Rasmussen
AN ACT Relating to diseased and quarantined animals; and amending RCW 16.36.010, 16.36.060, 16.36.090, and 16.36.098.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture.
SB 5906 by Senators Mulliken, Hargrove, Hewitt, Doumit, T. Sheldon, Finkbeiner, Haugen, Honeyford, Stevens, Morton, Johnson and Esser
AN ACT Relating to school districts with an enrollment of less than three thousand students; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Education.
SB 5907 by Senators Horn, Reardon, Doumit and Morton
AN ACT Relating to the establishment of the Washington maritime safety and improvement act; adding new sections to chapter 88.46 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Highways and Transportation.
SB 5908 by Senators Zarelli, Rossi, Carlson, Kohl-Welles, Fairley, B. Sheldon, Keiser, McAuliffe, West and Winsley
AN ACT Relating to capital construction of and bonding for facilities for institutions of higher education; and adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
SB 5909 by Senators Reardon, Rossi, Roach, Poulsen, Hewitt, Shin, Doumit, Zarelli, Eide, Kline, Stevens, Keiser, McCaslin, West, Hale, McAuliffe, Parlette, Rasmussen, Sheahan and Schmidt
AN ACT Relating to government accountability; adding a new section to chapter 43.88 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.131 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and creating new sections.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
SB 5910 by Senators Roach, McCaslin, Rasmussen, T. Sheldon, Stevens, Mulliken, Oke and Schmidt
AN ACT Relating to sport shooting ranges; adding a new section to chapter 9.41 RCW; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 5911 by Senators Kline, Fairley and Thibaudeau
AN ACT Relating to persistent offenders; reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.030; adding a new section to chapter 9.94A RCW; prescribing penalties; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 5912 by Senators Mulliken, Haugen, Sheahan, Horn, Parlette, Rasmussen and Spanel
AN ACT Relating to a state produce railcar pool; amending RCW 47.76.250; adding new sections to chapter 47.76 RCW; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Highways and Transportation.
SJM 8017 by Senators Kohl-Welles, Thibaudeau, Regala and Kline
Requesting the federal government to create a national data base for ammunition identification.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Sheahan, the following resolution was adopted:
SENATE RESOLUTION 8608
By Senators Mulliken, B. Sheldon, McAuliffe, Regala, Rasmussen, Deccio, Esser, Prentice, Rossi, Johnson and Sheahan
WHEREAS, Catholic School Educators have been teaching in Washington State for more than one hundred-forty years, beginning with the Sisters of Providence at Fort Vancouver; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools throughout the state of Washington and nation provide an outstanding quality education in a safe environment to thousands of students regardless of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or economic status; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools have more than twenty-nine thousand students currently receiving their education in ninety-one elementary and secondary schools throughout the state of Washington; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated men and women who teach and administer these schools produce academically strong students who also commit themselves to service; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools have trained many of the finest leaders in professions and occupations throughout this state and nation; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools have been recognized by the United States Department of Education as "Schools of Excellence"; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools greatly help relieve the financial burdens placed on public school systems by providing options for parents and students seeking alternative educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Schools uphold the dignity and sanctity of human life; and
WHEREAS, All Catholic Schools around the entire country are celebrating "Catholic Schools 2003: Making a World of Difference";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Catholic Schools of Washington State and honor their academic excellence and faith-based instruction during this celebration of Catholic Schools Week, January 26, 2003, through February 1, 2003; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the school departments at the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, and the Diocese of Yakima.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the following resolution was adopted:
SENATE RESOLUTION 8624
WHEREAS, Bob and Lynette Habersetzer Falkner, husband and wife, along with their children, are the fourth and fifth generations to practice forest stewardship on Custer Creek Tree Farm in Pacific County, Washington; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm has been tended by Leonhard and Rosa Habersetzer, Cornelius Habersetzer, William and Elizabeth Habersetzer, Victor and Ruth Habersetzer, Bob and Lynette Habersetzer Falkner, and their children; and
WHEREAS, There is one tract of forested and agricultural land in the town of Frances, Pacific County, Washington, totaling eight hundred and thirty-seven acres; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is a Washington State Centennial Farm that has been in operation since 1888, before Washington gained statehood; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is a family tree farm with children, Kate Falkner, Tim Falkner, Mary Beth Falkner, and Elly Falkner, all involved in some aspect of the management of the forest land; and
WHEREAS, This body honors Bob and Lynette Habersetzer Falkner, who were named Washington State's 2002 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year; and
WHEREAS, This prestigious honor is given to the top nonindustrial tree farmer who has demonstrated exemplary forest management skills, substantial interest in the Tree Farm Program, abilities in relating to other landowners, and special human interest; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm was nominated for the finals from over 1,245 certified tree farmers statewide, who collectively own 4,994,038 acres, selected for the title from among six finalists, and will compete in the regional competition and, if successful, the national competition; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm land is managed to promote healthy tree growth and to develop wildlife, fish, and water resources; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm regards the land as a gift from God and takes the accompanying responsibility seriously in their management of the tree farm; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is active in environmental education with elementary schools and sponsors woods tours for various groups; and
WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is a certified Green Tag Forest, the fourth to be so certified in the state of Washington, and the thirteenth in the nation, and is committed to producing timber that is environmentally friendly; and
WHEREAS, Bob and Lynette Habersetzer Falkner are members of the Washington Farm Forestry Association, Washington Contract Loggers Association, Northwest Woodlands Owners Association, National Woodland Owners Association, and the Washington Forest Protection Association; and
WHEREAS, Bob Falkner is a graduate of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program; and
WHEREAS, Private nonindustrial forestry is an exercise in democracy and the private enterprise system; and
WHEREAS, Washington's Tree Farm Program is part of the American Tree Farm System, a nationwide membership of nearly 62,000 landowners, who collectively own seventy-seven million acres; and 61,566 farms, with 77,886,140 acres; and
WHEREAS, The American Tree Farm System is a sixty year old network that brings together forest landowners who are committed to protective water and soil quality and providing wildlife habitat and quality recreation opportunities, at the same time they produce timber products; and
WHEREAS, Fifty-eight percent of the timber harvested in the United States comes from nonindustrial, private woodlands like Custer Creek Tree Farm;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate commend Bob and Lynette Falkner for being named Washington's Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year and wish them the best of luck in the regional competition; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Bob and Lynette Falkner.
MOTION
At 12:08 p.m., on motion of Senator Sheahan, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 noon, Thursday, February 20, 2003.
BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate
MILTON H. DOUMIT, Jr., Secretary of the Senate