Title: An act relating to the state parks and outdoor recreation funding task force.

Brief Description: Continuing the state parks and outdoor recreation funding task force.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives McIntire, Ericksen, Armstrong, Dunshee, Cooper, Anderson, O'Brien, Haigh, Kenney, Lantz, McDermott and Chase).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

• Reestablishes the State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Funding Task Force (Task Force) and adds a new member.

• Directs the Task Force to evaluate state parks and outdoor recreation programs and make recommendations for stable long-term funding sources by December 1, 2003.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Cooper, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hatfield, O'Brien, Pearson and Upthegrove.

The State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Funding Task Force (Task Force) was created in the 2002 Supplemental Operating Budget (Budget), Chapter 371, Laws of 2002. The Budget directed the Task Force to prepare recommendations for improving the operation of state parks and outdoor recreation programs and to secure adequate funding on a permanent basis to support the needs of state parks and outdoor recreation programs. The Task Force developed several recommendations for the Legislature's consideration, including a legislative proposal to continue the work of the Task Force.

The Task Force is continued. The Task Force consists of 15 members, four members each from the Senate and House of Representatives, three members appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the Commissioner of Public Lands, one member appointed by the chair of the Fish and Wildlife Commission, one member appointed by the chair of the State Parks and Recreation Commission, and one member appointed by the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

An additional member is added to the Task Force. The additional member would be appointed by an organization selected by the chair and vice-chair of the Task Force that represents employees of the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

The Task Force must evaluate outdoor recreation sites and programs managed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the DFW, and the DNR. The Task Force is directed to make recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2003, identifying priorities for managing state recreation lands and long-term stable funding sources to support those activities.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: (In support) The State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Task Force did not start soon enough and there was insufficient time to complete its work. The Task Force made good progress and should be continued to make recommendations for a long-term funding source for parks and outdoor recreation. There should be a park ranger added to the Task Force to help members understand park needs.

Testified: (In support) Fred Romero and Rita Cooper, Washington State Parks and Recreations Commission; Jim King, Citizens for Parks and Recreation; and Lynn Maier, Washington Public Employees Association.