HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS
SB 5703
Title:An act relating to the recreation resource account.
Brief Description:Allowing for the use of funds to dredge marine recreation land.
Sponsor:Senator Hargrove.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL
RESOURCES
Meeting Date: March 31, 1999.
Bill Analysis Prepared by: Josh Weiss, Counsel (786-7129)
Background: The motor vehicle fuel tax is paid on all motor vehicle fuel sold in the state. The director of the Department of Licensing is required to determine, at least once every four years, the proportion of the moneys collected from the tax which are taxed on marine fuels. The marine fuel tax refund account is funded on a monthly basis, according to the proportion the director of licensing has determined to be on marine fuel sales.
The recreation resource account is funded from the marine fuel tax refund account. This account pays for the administrative and coordinative costs of the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. Additional funds are split into two shares for the benefit of watercraft recreation in the state. The first share is used to provide grants to state agencies for the acquisition or capital improvement to marine recreation land. Such grants may be used to secure matching funds from federal programs which are dedicated to similar projects. The second share is used to provide grants to public bodies for the acquisition or capital improvement to marine recreation land. A public body may use grants along with its own funds in order to secure federal matching funds for such projects. APublic body@ is defined to include counties, cities, towns, port districts, park and recreation districts, other municipal corporations, and Indian tribes recognized by the federal government for participation in the land and water conservation program.
Summary of Bill: Moneys from the recreation resource account granted to state agencies or public bodies for the capital improvement of marine recreation land may be used additionally for periodic dredging to maintain or make a facility more useful.