HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1449
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 Passed House:
March 7, 2019
Title: An act relating to recognizing the fourth Saturday of September as public lands day.
Brief Description: Recognizing the fourth Saturday of September as public lands day.
Sponsors: Representatives Peterson, Chandler, Doglio, Ortiz-Self, Blake, Gregerson, Tharinger, Dolan, Frame, Stanford, Chapman, Fitzgibbon, Davis, Santos, Lovick, Tarleton, Jinkins and Ormsby.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Relations: 2/12/19, 2/22/19 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/7/19, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL RELATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Gregerson, Chair; Pellicciotti, Vice Chair; Walsh, Ranking Minority Member; Goehner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Dolan, Hudgins, Mosbrucker and Smith.
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:
National Public Lands Day began in 1994 and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort. The National Environmental Education Foundation, established under the National Environmental Education Act of 1990, coordinates National Public Lands Day with participating federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, United States (U.S.) Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Three states, including Nevada, Colorado, and Virginia, recognize Public Lands Day on varying days.
Washington recognizes 10 specific days and all Sundays as state legal holidays. Another 15 specific days are recognized by the Legislature, but not considered legal holidays. These other recognized days include Korean-American Day, Columbus Day, Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, Washington Army and Air National Guard Day, Purple Heart Recipient Recognition Day, Children's Day, Mother Joseph Day, Marcus Whitman Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, Civil Liberties Day of Remembrance, Juneteenth, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and Cesar Chavez Day.
Summary of Bill:
The fourth Saturday of September is recognized as Public Lands Day.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill will help Washington showcase its public lands. Public lands in the state are widely used and are a great economic driver throughout the state, bringing in business to small towns and big cities. If passed, the bill would not create a paid holiday.
There is a National Public Lands Day which showcases national parks. This bill presents an opportunity to marry a state lands day with the National Public Lands Day. It would give an opportunity for the state to partner with national efforts during National Public Lands Day.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Peterson, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.