Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
SSB 5157
Brief Description: Concerning the direct sale of valuable materials for habitat restoration projects.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Salomon and Chapman).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to conduct certain direct sales of valuable materials on public lands for qualifying habitat restoration projects.
Hearing Date: 3/18/25
Staff: Lily Smith (786-7175).
Background:

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sells timber and other valuable resources from state lands.  Sales of valuable materials above $25,000 in appraised value must be done at public auction to the highest bidder.  Sales of valuable materials up to $25,000 in appraised value, where such value amount is established by the Board of Natural Resources, may be conducted by direct sale.
Summary of Bill:

Under certain conditions and where the DNR determines it is in the best interest of the state or the affected trust, sales of valuable materials up to $250,000 in appraised value for use in habitat restoration projects may be conducted by direct sale.  Conditions include that the materials not be resold or remanufactured for other uses, a violation of which involving timber is subject to treble damages.

 

The DNR must appraise the valuable materials to be sold based on the cost to acquire similar materials used in aquatic restoration projects within the previous 24 months.  If the DNR is unable to determine this value, the appraisal is based on the average minimum bid for similar quality logs from the previous 12 months of product sales. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.