Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
HB 1863
Brief Description: Concerning payment for surveys of state-owned aquatic lands by current or prospective lessees of such lands.
Sponsors: Representatives Christian, Hutchins, Graham and Couture.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from requiring a current or prospective lessee of state-owned aquatic lands to pay for the cost of a survey of such lands.
Hearing Date: 1/10/24
Staff: Robert Hatfield (786-7117).
Background:

Aquatic lands are generally managed by the state, and protected for the common good.  The Legislature has designated the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as the manager of the more than 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands.  Aquatic lands includes all tidelands, shorelands, harbor areas, and the beds of navigable waters.  In managing state-owned aquatic lands, the DNR must support a balance of use demands and specified statutory goals.  The DNR must also establish standards for determining equitable and predictable lease rates for users of state-owned aquatic lands.

 

The DNR is authorized to cause any state-owned aquatic lands to be surveyed for the purpose of ascertaining and determining the area subject to sale or lease.
Summary of Bill:

The DNR is prohibited from requiring a current or prospective lessee of state-owned aquatic lands to pay for the cost of a survey of such lands.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 2, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.