HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1049


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:
March 7, 2007

Title: An act relating to the Vancouver national historic reserve.

Brief Description: Concerning the Vancouver national historic reserve.

Sponsors: By Representatives Fromhold, Orcutt, Moeller, Wallace, Dunn and B. Sullivan.

Brief History:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/7/07, 2/8/07 [DP];

Appropriations: 2/19/07, 2/21/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/7/07, 95-0.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Affirms that the Washington State Historical Society is the state's designated partner representative for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve.
  • Instructs the Washington State Historical Society to develop and submit operating and capital budget requests to the Office of Financial Management.
  • Creates an account in the State Treasury, moneys of which may be spent only after appropriation.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.

Staff: Jasmine Vasavada (786-5793).


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 34 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, P. Sullivan and Walsh.

Staff: Alex MacBain (786-7288).

Background:

The Vancouver National Historic Reserve (Reserve) was created by Congress in the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996. It encompasses a 366-acre parcel in southwest Washington including the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Pearson Airfield and Air Museum, Officer's Row, Vancouver Barracks, and a section of the Columbia River waterfront. The Reserve is managed by four designated partners, including Washington, the National Park Service, the United States Army, and the city of Vancouver.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature affirms that the state is a partner in the Reserve and will take an active role in supporting the protection, preservation, interpretation, and rehabilitation of the Reserve. The Washington State Historical Society is the state's designated partner representative for the Reserve. The State Historical Society is directed to participate in coordination meetings and in the development of plans and policies associated with the Reserve, partner with Washington State University and other agencies to manage the Center for Columbia River History, to develop and submit operating and capital budget requests, and to oversee the management of all funds appropriated by the state for the Reserve.

The Vancouver National Historic Reserve account is created in the State Treasury. Monies in the account may be spent only after an appropriation and must be used to finance the development and operation of the Reserve.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Agriculture & Natural Resources)

(In support) The Reserve was created in recognition of the tremendous cultural and archeological resources in the area. This bill is necessary to clarify that the Washington State Historical Society is the designated representative for Washington in the management of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The Washington State Historical Society's mission is closely aligned with the educational purpose served by the creation of the Reserve.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations)

(In support) The Vancouver National Historic Reserve (Reserve) is one of the richest collections in the western United States. The bill simply clarifies that the Washington State Historical Society is the designated representative of Washington for the management of the Reserve. It was determined by the participating partners and state agencies that the general historical mission of the Reserve best matches the general historical mission of the Washington State Historical Society.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (Agriculture & Natural Resources) Representative Fromhold, prime sponsor; Jan Bader, City of Vancouver; and Elson Strahan, Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust.

Persons Testifying: (Appropriations) (In support) Lauren Danner, Washington State Historical Society; and Mark Brown, City of Vancouver and Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Agriculture & Natural Resources) None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Appropriations) None.