Kristine Reeves — Ty Menser addressed Chair Reeves at the start of his testimony.
Kristine Reeves — The chair addressed the committee and moved to close public testimony.
Kristine Reeves — Kristine Reeves is addressed respectfully as Chair Reeves/Chairperson Reeves in consecutive remarks, with speakers thanking her during the same brief exchange.
Kristine Reeves — Asked whether the bill would streamline adjudication and reduce stress for water right users.
Kristine Reeves — Addressed as Chair Reeves.
Kristine Reeves — Chair Reeves is addressed by the remote witness.
HB1789 — Referenced as a similar bill heard in 2023 and as the original version the current bill resembles.
HB1789 — House Bill 1789 from 2023 is cited as a prior example of a bill that included negotiated safeguards, and the witness points to it as the model for similar protections in the current bill.
HB1789 — Cited as prior work from 2023 that could inform a solution.
HB1508 — Referenced as another similar bill heard last year.
HB1508 — House Bill 1508 was introduced as one of the bills currently before the committee, and it was then identified as the negotiated version relating to ecosystem services.
Lily Smith — Provides the staff briefing on HB 2170.
Lily Smith — Lily Smith, committee staff, explained HB 2544’s adjudication process, clarifying that it is a fact-finding process and does not alter the validity of existing claims. A later speaker referenced that Lily had answered questions about the bill.
Joe Schmick — Ranking Member Dent is addressed by title; the transcript says 'Ranking Member Dent,' which corresponds to member Dent.
Joe Schmick — Representative Joe Schmick is called on for questions and then asks whether there is an existing marketplace the committee can examine to understand how it operates in practice. He follows up by requesting numbers on actual operational projects so the committee can better gauge the scope and real-world context of the issue.
Joe Schmick — Mentioned as Ranking Member Dent? No, not in this section; the sponsor thanked Representative Dent and other caucus members.
Joe Schmick — Ranking Member Dent is addressed by title; the transcript says 'Ranking Member Dent' and the expected member list identifies this as Rep. Dent, not Schmick. No direct mention of Schmick here.
Joe Schmick — Joe Schmick is repeatedly referenced as 'Ranking Member Dent' across a short stretch of the transcript, indicating a likely transcription misidentification while the chair or speaker addresses the ranking member during the same discussion.
Joe Schmick — Not named in this section; Ranking Member Dent is mentioned in the transcript but context suggests the ranking member role, not a member-list correction here.
Christine Reeves — Introduces herself as the state representative from the 30th Legislative District and prime sponsor of the bill.
Kate Dean — Kate Dean is introduced as a Department of Natural Resources witness, states for the record that she is the Policy Director at the department, and begins her testimony. The chair then opens the floor for questions for her.
Duane Emmons — Scheduled to testify on behalf of the Department of Natural Resources.
Heath Heichla — Listed as next on deck for testimony, representing the American Forest Resource Council.
Heath Heichla — Heath Heichla of the American Forest Resource Council testifies in opposition to HB 2170, arguing that it would give DNR overly broad authority. He cites recent litigation involving DNR timber sales and references the Board of Natural Resources and a Supreme Court decision as context for why the bill is problematic. He closes by urging trustees to protect proven investments and reject giving DNR divestment authority over them.
Bill Turner — Listed as next on deck for testimony, representing Sierra Pacific Industries.
Bill Turner — Bill Turner of Sierra Pacific Industries opens his testimony in opposition to HB 2170 and explains that the company employs more than 1,000 people, manages timberlands, and contributes to local communities through donations and support. He argues that HB 2170 would threaten those communities and the company’s role in them.
Ann Rivers — Listed as next on deck for testimony, from Lumberhampton.
Ed Orcutt — Begins questioning the witness about how the bill would be implemented.
Ed Orcutt — Asked whether the bill would reduce allowable cut, timber harvest frequency, or timber jobs.
Ed Orcutt — Referenced as having asked about reduced timber sales and harvest.
Ed Orcutt — Identified as the representative asking a question.
Dwayne Emmons — Explained that harvest could be delayed or reduced under long-term contracts, though other management activities could increase.
Dwayne Emmons — Continued explaining that ecosystem service sales could delay or reduce harvest, but also allow other management activities.
Dwayne Emmons — Was invited to respond and began explaining the trade-off between larger temporary revenue and steadier payments.
Dwayne Emmons — Identified himself as Assistant Deputy for State Uplands and explained the trade-off between larger timber-sale revenue and steadier lease-like payments.
Dwayne Emmons — Explained that ecosystem service and carbon markets already operate on the West Coast and described reforestation markets.
Dwayne Emmons — Described how reforestation and carbon credits can work under existing forest practices rules.
Dwayne Emmons — Said he could provide project numbers and referenced carbon registries and Berkeley's compilation.
Dwayne Emmons — Explained that Washington could potentially use its cap-and-invest program as a compliance market for trust lands.
Dwayne Emmons — Said the agency would be deliberate in choosing markets and noted avoided wildfire emissions as an emerging market.
Dwayne Emmons — Explained how the State Investment Board manages similar trusts and how portfolio risk and changing holdings are discussed annually.
Dwayne Emmons — Described annual discussions with the State Investment Board about portfolio changes and permanent fund impacts.
Dwayne Emmons — Concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need to balance the portfolio.
Greg Nance — Representative Greg Nance is called on for a follow-up and asks whether internal financial projections have been made for the policy, specifically how it might affect school district revenues in Kitsap and what the expected outlays and disbursements could be. Later in the discussion, another speaker references Nance’s point that school districts and counties would be among the beneficiaries of the policy.
Greg Nance — Greg Nance is thanked as part of the bipartisan salmon caucus.
Tom Dent — Raised wildfire and fuel-load concerns if timber sales and harvest are reduced.
Tom Dent — Representative Tom Dent is thanked as part of the bipartisan salmon caucus.
Tom Dent — Addressed as Member Dent.
Tom Dent — Ranking Member Dent is greeted directly by the witness.
Tom Dent — Praised for leadership in the 2023 negotiations.