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                          HOUSE BILL 1849

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State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representatives Pearson, Jackley, Doumit, Eickmeyer, Rockefeller, Cox, Barlean, Armstrong, Bush and O'Brien; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission

Read first time 02/06/2001.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

Requiring the parks and recreation commission to have a record check performed on certain job applicants.

    AN ACT Relating to a record check of the parks and recreation commission's job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors; and amending RCW 79A.05.035.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 79A.05.035 and 1999 c 249 s 303 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The commission shall:

    (a) Manage timber and land under its jurisdiction to maintain and enhance aesthetic and recreational values;

    (b) Apply modern conservation practices to maintain and enhance aesthetic, recreational, and ecological resources; and

    (c) Designate and preserve certain forest areas throughout the state as natural forests or natural areas for interpretation, study, and preservation purposes.

    (2) Trees may be removed from state parks:

    (a) When hazardous to persons, property, or facilities;

    (b) As part of a park maintenance or development project, or conservation practice;

    (c) As part of a road or utility easement; or

    (d) When damaged by a catastrophic forest event.

    (3) Tree removal under subsection (2) of this section shall be done by commission personnel, unless the personnel lack necessary expertise.  Except in emergencies and when feasible, significant trees shall be removed only after they have been marked or appraised by a professional forester.  The removal of significant trees from a natural forest may take place only after a public hearing has been held, except in emergencies.

    (4) When feasible, felled timber shall be left on the ground for natural purposes or used for park purposes including, but not limited to, building projects, trail mulching, and firewood.  In natural forest areas, first consideration shall be given to leaving timber on the ground for natural purposes.

    (5) The commission may issue permits to individuals under RCW 4.24.210 and 79A.05.090 for the removal of wood debris from state parks for personal firewood use.

    (6) Only timber that qualifies for cutting or removal under subsection (2) of this section may be sold.  Timber shall be sold only when surplus to the needs of the park.

    (7) Net revenue derived from timber sales shall be deposited in the state parks renewal and stewardship account created in RCW 79A.05.215.

(8) The commission shall adopt rules that require a record check of job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors who will work with children or vulnerable adults, or who will be responsible for collecting or disbursing cash or processing credit card transactions, through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system and through the federal bureau of investigation.  A permanent employee of the commission, employed as of the effective date of this section, is exempt from the provisions of this subsection.

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