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Bill Analysis — HB 2445, Leasing Authority of the State Parks and Recreation Commission (Washington House)

Summary

A bill analysis of HB 2445 from the Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research for the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, with a hearing date of 1/23/24. The brief description is concerning the leasing authority of the state parks and recreation commission, and the sponsor is Representative Ryu. The background section says at least five of the seven Commission members must affirmatively approve a lease of parkland for more than 20 years and describes the Saint Edward State Park lease provisions. The summary of bill says the limitations on the Commission's lease terms and conditions for Saint Edward State Park are removed. The analysis lists a fiscal note requested on January 19, 2024.

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“Bill Analysis — HB 2445, Leasing Authority of the State Parks and Recreation Commission (Washington House).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2024-01-26-a31736-d265921-bill-analysis-1a0297a5f3/, SHA-256 511e6bac3697eaf13afc7d6a687e491191ea25cb75d21fc544336aefcc125259.

Full text

Washington State                  BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research   ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic
Development, & Veterans Committee
                                        HB 2445
Brief Description: Concerning the leasing authority of the state parks and recreation
     commission.

Sponsors: Representative Ryu.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
          • Removes limitations on State Parks and Recreation Commission's lease
            terms and conditions for Saint Edward State Park.


Hearing Date: 1/23/24

Staff: Martha Wehling (786-7067).

Background:

The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) controls and supervises more than
140 state parks throughout Washington. The Commission's duties include the use, care, and
administration of state parks and parkways, including granting concessions and leases.

The Commission is required to grant concessions or leases in state parks and parkways upon
such rentals, fees, or percentage of income or profits and for such terms and conditions as
approved by the Commission. Lease and concession terms must not be longer than 80 years.
When an applicant proposes to lease parkland or state park property for more than 20 years, or
when a lease is amended or modified, at least five of the seven Commission members must
affirmatively approve the lease. Both concessions and leases may be modified during their term
if the Commission opines that the modification is in the best interest of the state and the
concessionaire or lessee consents.



     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis                             -1-                                         HB 2445
The maximum lease term for certain property at the 326-acre Saint Edward State Park is 62
years. The lease is restricted to certain areas of the park, including the main seminary building,
the pool building, the gymnasium, the parking lot between the prior three buildings, the parking
lot north of the gymnasium, and associated property immediately adjacent to the preceding areas.

Before entering into a lease at Saint Edward State Park, the Commission was required to find
that the Department of Commerce study (Commerce study) issued in July 2016 failed to identify
an economically viable public or nonprofit use for the property that was consistent with the
Commission's mission and able to proceed on a reasonable timeline. The Commerce study found
no active public/nonprofit development proposals to evaluate, and no public or nonprofit
sponsored entity had submitted a redevelopment proposal. The study concluded that if a
minimum of $23.4 million of funding was available, it would cover baseline restoration costs;
however, no specific funding sources, capital investments, or ongoing operating and maintenance
costs were identified or available. The study also noted that restoration costs would increase
depending on the use of the property. Following the Commerce study, the seminary at Saint
Edward State Park was historically restored by a private developer and began operating as The
Lodge at St. Edward Park in 2021.

Summary of Bill:

The limitations on the State Parks and Recreation Commission's lease terms and conditions for
Saint Edward State Park are removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 19, 2024.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.




House Bill Analysis                            -2-                                         HB 2445

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