HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                   HB 2427

Title: An act relating to the transfer of state trust lands

Brief Description:  Amends the transfer of state trust lands.

Sponsors:  Representatives Barlean, Anderson, Wensman, Koster, Schoesler and Ericksen

                 Brief Summary of Bill

Amends the 1999-01 capital budget by adding Goss Lake to the Trust Land Transfer Program.

Contact:  Bill Robinson (360) 786-7140

Background:

The Trust Land Transfer Program is a mechanism to transfer recreational-desirable and environmentally-sensitive school trust lands out of trust status while reimbursing the trust for the value of the land and associated timber on the land.  The program has been utilized since 1989 through specific appropriations in the capital budget as a means to generate additional money for school construction.

The Trust Land Transfer Program purchases lands, which are difficult to manage for timber production, from the trust. The value of the timber is deposited into the common school construction account, without actually harvesting the timber. The value of the land is used to purchase replacement lands with more income generating potential for the trust beneficiaries, while at the same time protecting properties with significant natural, park or recreational attributes. 

Since 1989, the Trust Land Transfer Program has received $380 million in appropriations from the legislature. More than $310 million has gone directly toward school construction. The Department of Natural Resources and State Parks have received the majority of the land transferred to conservation status and recreation use. Local governments have recently been authorized to receive transferred lands for recreation and conservation use.

Summary of Bill:  The 1999-01 capital budget appropriation for the Trust Land Transfer program is amended to identify Goss Lake in Island county as one of the trust properties to be transferred to Island County for open space and recreational uses.

Appropriation: None

Fiscal Note: Not  Requested.

Agency Rule Making Impact: None.

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