Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
HB 1609
Brief Description: Promoting efficient administration of state education agencies.
Sponsors: Representatives Waters, Mena, Reed and Nance; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows the Superintendent of Public Instruction to use a designee on the Board of Natural Resources.
Hearing Date: 2/14/25
Staff: Lily Smith (786-7175).
Background:

Board of Natural Resources.

 

The Board of Natural Resources (Board) sets policies to guide how the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the state's lands and resources.  The Board has several responsibilities:  (1) approve or disapprove trust land timber and mineral sales; (2) establish the sustainable harvest level for forested trust lands; (3) approve or disapprove sales or exchanges of trust lands; and (4) guide the DNR's stewardship of state Natural Area Preserves, Natural Resources Conservation Areas, and aquatic or submerged lands.

 

The Board is composed of six members:

  • the Governor or a designee;
  • the Superintendent of Public Instruction;
  • the Commissioner of Public Lands;
  • the director of the University of Washington school of forest resources;
  • the dean of the Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences; and
  • a county representative.
Summary of Bill:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction may use a designee on the Board.
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.