HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5787

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to the disposition of proceeds from county land deeded to the department of natural resources.

Brief Description:  Concerning the disposition of proceeds from county land deeded to the department of natural resources.

Sponsors:  Senators Benton, Snyder and Newhouse.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/28/97, 4/4/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Butler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Anderson; Chandler; Hatfield; Pennington and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  The Department of Natural Resources manages forest board transfer lands on behalf of 21 counties.  The department may deduct a maximum of 25 percent from the proceeds derived from timber sales and other revenue generating activities on the lands, using these moneys for administration, reforestation, and protection of these lands.  The remaining proceeds go to the respective counties and are distributed to various funds in the same manner as general tax dollars are distributed.

Current law provides a modification to the distribution of revenues within the counties for counties with populations of less than 9,000 people.  For a county with less than 9,000 people, the county must first apply the revenues it receives from its forest board transfer lands towards any indebtedness existing in its current expense fund.  According to 1990 U.S. Census data, Wahkiakum County and Skamania County have populations under the 9,000-person population threshold, with Skamania County's population close to the threshold.

Summary of Bill:  The population threshold is increased to 16,000 people.  Skamania County will continue to apply the revenue it receives from its forest board transfer lands first to any indebtedness existing in its current expense fund.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested. Available on companion bill, HB 1945.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.