SHB 1879

SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1879

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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, February 20, 2008

Title: An act relating to allowing the department of natural resources to provide nonprofit organizations with nominally valuable materials.

Brief Description: Authorizing the department of natural resources to offer nominally valuable materials to nonprofit organizations.

Sponsors: House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, B. Sullivan, Moeller, Kretz, Morris, Strow, Pettigrew, Orcutt, Armstrong, McCoy, Linville, VanDeWege, Takko, Lovick, Williams, Haigh, Sullivan, Sump, Kenney and Ormsby).

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Rockefeller, Spanel and Stevens.

Background: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has authority to sell timber and other valuable resources from state lands. Most sales conducted by DNR must be done at public auction to the highest bidder. Before valuable materials can be sold, the sale must be properly advertised so that the maximum number of potential buyers are aware of the pending sale. However, DNR has the authority to offer a direct sale without notice or advertising for sales appraised at $25,000 or less.

Summary of Bill: DNR may offer fallen woody debris, boulders, and other materials in a direct sale for use in publicly-funded aquatic habitat improvement projects. DNR must ensure that it receives compensation at the appraised value, if any, for the sold materials.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The primary goal of this bill is to ensure that publicly-funded aquatic habitat recovery projects have the materials they need. Allowing DNR to sell at nominal cost woody debris and other materials will help to achieve that goal.