HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESB 5495
As Passed House ‑ Amended:
April 4, 2001
Title: An act relating to the community outdoor athletic fields advisory council.
Brief Description: Modifying the appointment process for members of the community outdoor athletic fields advisory council.
Sponsors: By Senator Jacobsen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Natural Resources: 3/26/01, 3/28/01 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House ‑ Amended: 4/4/01, 95-0.
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Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill (As Amended by House)
$If a legislative appointment of a member of the Community Outdoor Athletic Fields Advisory Council (COAFAC) is not made by the House of Representatives or the Senate within 90 days after there is a vacancy on the council, the chair of the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) makes the appointment.
$The advisory council must advise the IAC annually. The recommendations from the advisory committee must include recommendations concerning the distribution of funds between the maintenance of existing athletic facilities, the development of new athletic facilities, and the improvement of existing athletic facilities.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Doumit, Democratic Co‑Chair; Sump, Republican Co‑Chair; Pearson, Republican Vice Chair; Rockefeller, Democratic Vice Chair; Buck, G. Chandler, Edwards, Eickmeyer, Ericksen, Jackley, Murray and Pennington.
Staff: Bill Lynch (786‑7092).
Background:
The COAFAC advises the IAC regarding the award of funds from the youth athletic field facility account. The advisory council consists of nine members who serve three year terms. Four of the members are appointed by the IAC, two members are appointed by the House of Representatives, two members are appointed by the Senate, and the remaining member is appointed by the Governor who acts as the chair of the advisory council. Members of the advisory council serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses.
The appointments to the advisory council must reflect an effort to achieve a balance among the appointees based upon factors of geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, with a sense and awareness of community outdoor athletic fields needs.
The youth athletic facility account was created as part of Referendum 48 which was approved by the voters in June 1997. The referendum approved the issuance of general obligation bonds for a stadium for a professional football team. The team affiliated with the stadium was required to deposit at least $10 million into the youth athletic field facility account upon execution of the lease agreement.
Moneys in the account must be divided equally between the development of new community outdoor athletic facilities, the improvement of existing community outdoor athletic facilities, and the maintenance of existing community outdoor athletic facilities. Cities, counties, and qualified nonprofit organizations may apply for grants or loans from the account, which are awarded on a competitive basis. The amount of the grant or loan must be in proportion to the population of the city or county in which the athletic facility is located.
The advisory council provides information to, and makes recommendations to the IAC on the award of funds from the account to cities, counties, and qualified nonprofit organizations for acquiring, developing, equipping, maintaining, and improving youth or community athletic facilities, including community outdoor athletic fields.
Summary of Amended Bill:
If a legislative appointment of a member of the COAFAC is not made by the House of Representatives or the Senate within 90 days after there is a vacancy on the council, the chair of the IAC makes the appointment. The appointments to the advisory council must reflect an attempt to reach a balance among the appointees based upon population density in addition to the other factors that must be considered when making appointments. Appointees must have a sense and awareness of community outdoor athletic fields needs, including the complete variety of outdoor athletic activities.
The advisory council must advise the IAC annually. The recommendations from the advisory committee must include recommendations concerning the distribution of funds between the maintenance of existing athletic facilities, the development of new athletic facilities, and the improvement of existing athletic facilities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: (Original Bill) This is request legislation by the COAFAC. The Legislature is not making its appointments, and this is increasing the workload on the other advisory council members and increasing delays.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Senator Jacobsen, Prime Sponsor; and Laura Johnson, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.