Read first time 01/23/13.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to the Washington state horse park authority; amending RCW 79A.30.030; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the Washington state horse park authority is a unique public-private partnership for providing equestrian recreational opportunities. Because the authority is a statutorily created nonprofit corporation, its growth as an organization requires statutory authorization. The legislature finds that expanding membership of the authority's board will: Allow additional board representation for the geographic and sports discipline diversity of equestrian interests; add relevant business experience to the board; and avoid duplicating efforts of other organizations.

Sec. 2   RCW 79A.30.030 and 2011 1st sp.s. c 21 s 32 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A nonprofit corporation may be formed under the nonprofit corporation provisions of chapter 24.03 RCW to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Except as provided in RCW 79A.30.040, the corporation shall have all the powers and be subject to the same restrictions as are permitted or prescribed to nonprofit corporations and shall exercise those powers only for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and those purposes necessarily implied therefrom. The nonprofit corporation shall be known as the Washington state horse park authority. The articles of incorporation shall provide that it is the responsibility of the authority to develop, promote, operate, manage, and maintain the Washington state horse park. The articles of incorporation shall provide for appointment of directors and other conduct of business consistent with the requirements of this chapter.
     (2)(a) The articles of incorporation shall provide for ((a seven-)) an eleven-member board of directors for the authority, all appointed by the commission. Board members shall serve three-year terms, except that two of the original appointees shall serve one-year terms, and two of the original appointees shall serve two-year terms. Of the board members appointed pursuant to this act, one shall serve an initial one-year term, one shall serve an initial two-year term, and two shall serve an initial term of three years. A board member may serve consecutive terms.
     (b) The articles of incorporation shall provide that the commission appoint board members as follows:
     (i) One board member shall represent the interests of the commission;
     (ii) One board member shall represent the interests of the county in which the park is located. In making this appointment, the commission shall solicit recommendations from the county legislative authority; and
     (iii) ((Five)) Nine board members shall represent the geographic and sports discipline diversity of equestrian interests in the state, and at least ((one)) three of these members shall have business experience relevant to the organization of horse shows or operation of a horse show facility. In making these appointments, the commission shall solicit recommendations from a variety of active horse-related organizations in the state.
     (3) The articles of incorporation shall include a policy that provides for the preferential use of a specific area of the horse park facilities at nominal cost for horse groups associated with youth groups and individuals with disabilities.
     (4) The commission shall make appointments to fill board vacancies for positions authorized under subsection (2) of this section, upon additional solicitation of recommendations from the board of directors.
     (5) The board of directors shall perform their duties in the best interests of the authority, consistent with the standards applicable to directors of nonprofit corporations under RCW 24.03.127.