SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6292

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

    Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, January 27, 2000

Title:  An act relating to timber sales.

Brief Description:  Providing a stable timber supply for the Washington forest products industry.

Sponsors:  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].

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 Substitute 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was a proposed statute based on the Idaho law.  The substitute directly challenges the Idaho law.

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).