Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

ESB 5495

Brief Description:  Modifying the appointment process for members of the community outdoor athletic fields advisory council.

Sponsors:  By Senator Jacobsen.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

$Members of the Community Outdoor Athletic Fields Advisory Council are appointed by the Inter-Agency for Outdoor Recreation Commission (IAC,) except for the chair who is appointed by the Governor.

$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.

Hearing Date:  3/26/01

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786‑7092).

Background: 

The Community Outdoor Athletic Fields Advisory Council 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 Bill: 

Members of the Community Outdoor Athletic Fields Advisory Council are appointed by the IAC, except for the chair who is appointed by the Governor.  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:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.