Committee Hears DNR Request Bill to Modernize Timber‑sale Advertising and Sales Procedures

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard HB 2348 on Jan. 23, an agency-request bill from the Department of Natural Resources that would modernize advertising and procedural requirements for DNR timber and land sales.

Lily Smith, committee staff, said the bill would allow DNR to post sale notices on a public website instead of some physical postings and certain newspaper notices, let DNR designate alternate sale locations, permit re-offer of no‑bid sales via statewide/individual lists, and set standards for appraisal and fair-market-value when DNR transfers lands acquired by gift or purchase.

Pat Sullivan, DNR’s director for government and external affairs, framed the bill as a government-efficiency measure that has cleared committee in prior years and urged support. Heath Heikla (American Forest Resource Council) and Matt Domet (Washington Forest Protection Association) testified in favor, calling the changes overdue modernization and stressing fiduciary responsibility; Heikla noted DNR timber sales generate about $200,000,000 per year on average, with roughly 27% used for DNR operations.

Members asked about projected savings and recordkeeping burdens; Sullivan said savings are likely “in the thousands” for administrative time and costs and explained that some advertising-related records must be retained for up to 50 years for audit purposes. Members requested clarifications about thresholds in statute and how the bill would affect specific processes; staff offered to follow up in writing.

Staff read into the record sign‑ins (43 pro, 1 con, 0 other). The committee closed the public hearing on HB 2348; no vote was taken during the session and the bill’s fiscal note is available.