SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6211

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:

Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks, January 18, 2018

Brief Summary of Bill

Establishes the non-appropriated, interest retaining Federal Lands Revolving Account to receive and expend funds relating to good neighbor agreements.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Van De Wege, Chair; McCoy, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Member; Honeyford and Nelson.

Background: Under Congressionally-authorized good neighbor agreements, certain federal agencies may enter into cooperative agreements with states to perform forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services on federal lands. Examples of qualifying project types include treatments for diseased trees, hazardous fuels reduction, and activities to improve watershed health.

Any specific projects conducted under an agreement must be developed under a collaborative process between the state and federal agency. The federal agencies must complete federal environmental review even where the state is to conduct project implementation.

Summary of Bill: The Federal Lands Revolving Account (account) is created as a non-appropriated, interest retaining, account where the Commissioner of Public Lands (Commissioner) or a designee may authorize expenditures. The account receives any income from good neighbor agreements, legislative transfers, gifts, grants, and federal funds provided for good neighbor agreements. The Commissioner can use the account to pay for planning and implementing good neighbor agreements, including administrative costs and goods and services.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The federal government has authorized good neighbor agreements between the federal and state governments, which will be helpful to implement forest health work. The state and federal government have entered into this relationship, and are working to plan projects for the coming year. The forest service now spends so much of its capacity on fire, the state will gain greatly from assisting with projects on federal land.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Brad Hawkins, Prime Sponsor; Jason Callahan, Washington Forest Protection Association; Darin Cramer, DNR; Scott Richards, Nature Conservancy; Heath Heikkila, American Forest Resource Council.