HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2459

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to the continuing operation of the winter recreation advisory committee.

Brief Description:  Extending the tenure of the winter recreation advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Representatives Regala, Parlette and Lantz; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  1/26/00, 2/1/00 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee to continue advising the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding winter recreation programs and facilities.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Buck, Republican Co-Chair; Regala, Democratic Co-Chair; Anderson, Democratic Vice Chair; G. Chandler; Clements; Doumit; Eickmeyer; Ericksen; Pennington; Rockefeller and Stensen.

Staff:  Josh Weiss (786-7129).

Background:

The Winter Recreation Advisory Committee was created in 1975.  The 12-member committee advises the Parks and Recreation Committee in the administration and development of non-motorized winter recreation facilities and programs.  For example, the commission must consult the committee in setting the fee for winter recreational area parking permits (Sno-Park permits).  Six of the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee members represent non-snowmobiling interests from across the state, three represent snowmobilers, two represent the Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources, and one represents the Washington Association of Counties.  According to statute, the committee is terminated on June 30, 2001.

Summary of Bill:

The provision which would have terminated the committee June 30, 2001, is eliminated, allowing the committee to continue indefinitely.  Statutory language is made gender neutral.  Statutory references that have been recodified are corrected.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This advisory committee was originally created because the sno-park permit system was entirely new.  Oregon and Minnesota have similar winter recreation programs.  This is a permitting system that works.  There's lots of winter recreational use on the I-90 corridor.  The parking lots are kept small in order to keep the trails from getting too packed.  This is one example of a system suggested by the committee that has been effective.  Winter recreationists have been providing advice to the Parks and Recreation Commission for 25 years.  The commission would like the committee to continue.  The sno-park program operates on about $400,000 a year, which is raised entirely by fees.  This is an important board for an entirely self-sustaining program.  Local maintenance and planning is crucial.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  David T. Newton, Kouesberger Ski Club; Rex Derr, State Parks and Recreation Commission; and Dave Schultz, Washington State Association of Counties.