SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5300
As of January 30, 2025
Title: An act relating to leasing authority of the state parks and recreation commission at St. Edward State Park.
Brief Description: Concerning the leasing authority of the state parks and recreation commission at St. Edward State Park.
Sponsors: Senators Stanford, Valdez, Holy and Nobles; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Local Government: 1/30/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the provisions which granted the State Parks and Recreation Commission authority to enter into a 62-year lease for property at Saint Edward State Park.?
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Staff: Rohan Bhattacharjee (786-7534)
Background:

The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) manages a system of over 120 parks and properties covering over 138,000 acres throughout the state, including a variety of facilities, historic buildings, and recreation programs. Among the properties managed by the Commission is Saint Edward State Park (Saint Edward) in King County. Saint Edward encompasses 316 acres of buildings, recreational facilities, and undeveloped outdoor spaces, including several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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In 2016, the Legislature directed the Department of Commerce (Commerce), in consultation with the Commission, to conduct a study of the economic feasibility of public or nonprofit uses of property at Saint Edward. The study was required to consider the cost estimates for maintenance and building renovation, traffic implications of potential uses, limitations imposed by the National Park Service because of federal Land and Water Conservation Fund restrictions and land use codes, and data from previous studies of potential uses of the Saint Edward Seminary building.

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If the Commission determined that Commerce's study failed to identify an economically viable public or nonprofit use for the property, the Commission was permitted to lease certain property at Saint Edward for 62 years and was permitted to enter into a lease upon an affirmative vote of five members of the Commission. The property at Saint Edward that qualified for a 62-year lease after a five-vote Commission authorization was limited to the main seminary building, the pool building, the gymnasium, two adjacent parking lots, and other property immediately adjacent to those areas.

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In 2020, the Legislature passed HB 2601, extending the maximum permissible lease term for state park properties from 50 to 80 years.
Summary of Bill:

This bill removes the provisions which granted the Commission authority to enter into a 62-year lease for property at Saint Edward.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 28, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.