SSB 6747 -
By Committee on General Government Appropriations
NOT CONSIDERED 03/11/2010
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 79.70 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) In an effort to recover the service cost incurred for staff
time and other expenses involved in data delivery and information
services from the natural heritage program, the department shall
collect either:
(a) A one thousand dollar annual subscription fee for statewide
data. The annual subscription fee includes five separate requests for
information services as described in subsection (2) of this section.
An hourly charge described in subsection (3) of this section will be
assessed for information requests in excess of the five requests
included in an annual subscription fee; or
(b) A one hundred dollar annual fee for data covering a full county
or any portion thereof, plus an hourly charge described in subsection
(3) of this section for information services requests described in
subsection (2) of this section.
(2) For the purposes of this section, an information services
request includes, but is not limited to, data analysis, technical
assistance, manual searches, map interpretations, and preparing special
reports.
(3) The hourly charge to process and respond to an information
services request is seventy-five dollars per hour rounded to the
nearest one-half hour. The department may waive user charges when an
information services request requires less than one hour of response
time or when no data or information services are provided. When the
request is from a student for educational purposes, the department may
waive fees for data and information services.
(4) The fees charged to an applicant requesting information
services on private land owned by the applicant may not exceed three
hundred dollars per calendar year.
(5) All moneys collected under this section must be deposited into
the natural resources conservation areas stewardship account created in
RCW 79.71.090.
(6) After July 1, 2011, the department may adjust or modify the
fees specified in this section as necessary to recover the service
costs.
(7) Nothing in this section limits the department from entering
into contracts, agreements, or other arrangements with public and
private agencies or organizations to provide the type of natural
heritage information services covered by this section."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: The striking amendment:
Changes the annual subscription fee to $1,000 for access to
statewide data which includes up to five separate requests including,
but not limited to, data analysis, technical assistance, manual
searches, map interpretations, and preparing special reports. Requests
for information in addition to the five included in the statewide
annual subscription will be charged an hourly fee of $75 rounded to the
nearest half-hour.
Creates a $100 annual fee for data covering a full county or any
portion of a county; the hourly rate of $75 rounded to the nearest
half-hour applies to this subscription type.
Requires that fees charged to an applicant requesting information
services on private land owned by the applicant may not exceed $300 per
calendar year.
Clarifies that the department of natural resources will not be
limited from entering into contracts, agreements, or other arrangements
with public and private agencies or organizations.
Allows the department of natural resources to waive user charges
for students requesting data for educational purposes.
Removes language that allows the department of natural resources to
provide one annual subscription to any statewide trade association
whose membership is comprised of private forest landowners to serve as
the annual subscription for any of that association's members.