6002-S.E AMH TAYL JOND 026

ESSB 6002 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-4473.1/14) 847

By Representative Taylor

FAILED 03/04/2014

    On page 248, after line 33, insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 717.  A new section is added to 2013 2nd sp.s. c 4 (uncodified) to read as follows:

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON THE TRANSFER OF PUBLIC LANDS

    (1) (a)(i) The legislative task force on the transfer of public lands is established, with members as provided as follows:

    (A) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives; and

    (B) The president of the senate shall appoint two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate.

    (ii) The task force shall choose its chair or cochairs from among its membership.

    (b) The task force shall, with guidance from other interested parties and stakeholders, prepare proposed legislation:

    (i) Creating a public lands commission assigned with:

    (A) Administering the transfer of title of public lands from the United States to the state of Washington; and

    (B) Addressing the management of public lands and the management of multiple uses of public lands, including managing open space, access to public lands, local planning, and the sustainable yield of natural resources on public lands;

    (ii) Establishing actions that must be taken to secure, preserve, and protect the state's rights and benefits related to the United States' duty to have extinguished title to public lands;

    (iii) Making any necessary modifications to the definition of "public lands";

    (iv) Making a determination of, or creating a process for determining, interests, rights, or uses related to:

    (A) Easements;

    (B) Geothermal resources;

    (C) Grazing;

    (D) Mining;

    (E) Natural gas;

    (F) Oil and other fossil fuels;

    (G) Recreation;

    (H) Rights of entry;

    (I) Special uses;

    (J) Timber;

    (K) Water; or

    (L) Other natural resources or other resources; and

    (v) Determining what constitutes "expenses incident to the sale of public lands".

    (c) The legislative task force on the transfer of public lands shall also study and determine whether to prepare proposed legislation related to:

    (i) An administrative process for:

    (A) The United States to extinguish title to public lands;

    (B) The state to receive title to public lands from the United States; or

    (C) The state to transfer title to any public lands the state receives;

    (ii) Establishing a prioritized list of management actions for the state and the political subdivisions of the state to perform on public lands:

    (A) Before and after the United States extinguishes title to public lands; and

    (B) To preserve and promote the state's interest in:

    (I) Protecting public health and safety;

    (II) Preventing catastrophic wild fire and forest insect infestation;

    (III) Preserving watersheds;

    (IV) Preserving and enhancing energy and the production of minerals;

    (V) Preserving and improving range conditions; and

    (VI) Increasing plant diversity and reducing invasive weeds on range and woodland portions of the public lands;

    (VII) Establishing procedures and requirements for subjecting public lands to property taxation;

    (VII) Establishing other requirements related to national forests, national recreation areas, or other public lands administered by the United States; and

    (VIII) Addressing the indemnification of a political subdivision of the state.

    (d) The legislative task force on the transfer of public lands also may study any other issue related to public lands as determined by the commissioner and the attorney general.

    (e) The legislative task force on the transfer of public lands shall:

    (i) Make preliminary reports on the study and preparation of proposed legislation to the legislature:

    (A) By June 30, 2014; and

    (B) By October 31, 2014; and

    (ii) Deliver a final report containing findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the legislature by January 2, 2015.

    (f) Staff support for the legislative task force on the transfer of public lands must be provided by the house of representatives office of program research and senate committee services.

    (g)_ Legislative members of the legislative task force on the transfer of public lands must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.

    (h) The expenses of the legislative task force on the transfer of public lands must be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives.  Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house of representatives executive rules committee, or their successor committees." 

EFFECT:   Establishes the Legislative Task Force on the Transfer of Public Lands with membership from the House and Senate and support from legislative staff.  Requires the Task Force to prepare legislation creating a public lands commission to administer the transfer of public lands from the United States to Washington and address the management of public lands. 

FISCAL IMPACT: No net change to appropriated levels.

--- END ---