SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6292

              As Passed Senate, February 9, 2000

Title:  An act relating to timber sales.

Brief Description:  Directing the attorney general to bring suit against the state of Idaho concerning the timber supply stabilization act.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Morton, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Rossi, McCaslin, Honeyford, Sheahan, Stevens and Oke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  1/20/2000, 1/27/2000 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/9/2000, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6292 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Oke, Rossi and Stevens.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The state of Idaho requires that 95 percent of any timber purchased in Idaho must be processed in Idaho.  Logs purchased from state trust lands in Washington can be processed anywhere.  Therefore, Idaho mills have a greater supply of logs to process.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington State Attorney General must take legal action in federal court against the state of Idaho=s Timber Stabilization Act, challenging its legality under the United States Constitution.  The challenge is done in cooperation with the prosecuting attorneys of Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry and Okanogan counties.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 11, 2000.

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

Testimony For:  The state of Idaho discriminates against Washington timber buyers and gives Idaho lumber mills an unfair advantage.

Testimony Against:  The proposed bill violates both the state and federal constitutions and would reduce income to the trusts.

Testified:  PRO:  Gary LeCair, Vaagen Bros. Lumber; Steve West, Columbia Cedar; CON:  Michael Perez-Gibson, Kaleen Cottingham, Dept. of Natural Resources; Nick Kirkmire, Riley Creek Lumber Co.; Bill Vogler, WA State Assn. of Counties (neutral).