CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1799

Chapter 408, Laws of 2005

(partial veto)

59th Legislature
2005 Regular Session



PUBLIC RECREATIONAL LANDS AND PUBLIC SAFETY--TASK FORCE



EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/24/05

Passed by the House April 19, 2005
  Yeas 64   Nays 34

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


Passed by the Senate April 8, 2005
  Yeas 43   Nays 4


BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
 
CERTIFICATE

I, Richard Nafziger, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1799 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.


RICHARD NAFZIGER
________________________________________    
Chief Clerk
Approved May 11, 2005, with the exception of Section 1, which is vetoed.







CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
May 11, 2005 - 2:17 p.m.







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1799
_____________________________________________

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

Passed Legislature - 2005 Regular Session
State of Washington59th Legislature2005 Regular Session

By House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Sullivan and Upthegrove)

READ FIRST TIME 03/04/05.   



     AN ACT Relating to park rangers employed by the state parks and recreation commission; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

     *NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that law enforcement functions at state parks and lands are insufficient to adequately protect the public and our natural resources. Threats to the safety of the visiting public and public lands are not necessarily confined to the boundaries of state parks and lands. State law does not expressly grant or deny park rangers the authority to engage in law enforcement activities outside of park and land boundaries. Further, the legislature finds that, in many areas of the state, other state or local law enforcement officers are either too far away or understaffed to provide adequate support to on-site law enforcement professionals in emergency situations. The legislature finds that a comprehensive review of the role and responsibilities of law enforcement professionals within and around state parks and lands is necessary to ensure the value of state parks and natural resources is not diminished.
     *Sec. 1 was vetoed. See message at end of chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The task force on state public recreational lands and public safety is created. The task force shall be comprised of twelve members appointed as follows:
     (a) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each major caucus, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (b) Two members of the senate, one from each major caucus, to be appointed by the president of the senate;
     (c) The commissioner of public lands or his or her designee;
     (d) The chair of the Washington state parks and recreation commission or his or her designee;
     (e) The chair of the Washington fish and wildlife commission or his or her designee;
     (f) Five members, to be appointed jointly by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, from nominations submitted by the following organizations:
     (i) One representative of the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
     (ii) One representative of the Washington state council of police and sheriffs;
     (iii) One representative of the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys;
     (iv) One representative park ranger who is an active member of the recognized employee bargaining unit and who is employed by the Washington state parks and recreation commission; and
     (v) One recognized employee representative of enforcement officers with the department of natural resources.
     (2) The task force members shall elect a chair and determine its operating procedures. The task force shall be jointly staffed by the office of program research and senate committee services as determined by their respective staff directors.
     (a) Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (b) The compensable travel expenses as provided in (a) of this subsection shall be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives.
     (3) This section expires January 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The task force shall conduct a comprehensive review of law enforcement issues in and around state parks and lands, including but not limited to:
     (1) The extent to which illegal activity in and around state parks and lands threatens public safety and natural resources; and
     (2) The ability of the current state and local law enforcement to respond to illegal activity on or near public recreational lands.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   By December 15, 2005, the task force shall provide a final report of its recommendations, including any draft legislation to implement the recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate.


         Passed by the House April 19, 2005.
         Passed by the Senate April 8, 2005.
         Approved by the Governor May 11, 2005, with the exception of certain items that were vetoed.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 11, 2005.

     Note: Governor's explanation of partial veto is as follows:

"I am returning, without my approval as to Section 1, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1799 entitled:

     "AN ACT Relating to park rangers employed by the state parks and recreation commission."

Section 1 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1799 states the Legislature's finding that "law enforcement functions at state parks and lands are insufficient to adequately protect the public and our natural resources." I agree that the safety of people, property, and natural resources on our public lands is important, and that more can be done to improve safety. But I have high regard for our park rangers and others who enforce the laws and protect our public lands, and do not believe the Legislature's conclusion is warranted. I am also concerned such language, while not so intended, could be misused to increase taxpayers' liability for harm that should be the responsibility of those who violate our laws.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 1 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1799.

With the exception of Section 1, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1799 is approved."