H-3563

AN ACT Relating to fish and wildlife education; adding a new section to chapter 77.04 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 75.08 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature declares that it is of vital importance that the state's youth be educated in the importance of fish and wildlife as components of the ecosystem. The legislature finds that there is a lack of funding in the state for education of Washington's youth in the important environmental issues of fish and wildlife preservation and management. It is the intent of the legislature to create a mechanism to increase funding available for fish and wildlife education, and to do so without adversely affecting the general fund.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 77.04 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall make every effort to participate, on request, in classroom education in the common schools, using existing educational programs or developing new programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

The department of fisheries, in cooperation with the superintendent of public instruction, shall develop an educational program in fisheries ecology, biology, and management for the common schools. The effect of human activity on fisheries shall be emphasized, along with needed actions for coexistence.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall make every effort to participate, on request, in classroom education in the common schools, using existing educational programs or developing new programs where appropriate.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The state commission on funding for fish and wildlife education is hereby created. As used in this chapter, "commission" means the state commission on funding for fish and wildlife education. The commission shall be composed of seven members appointed by the governor. Commissioners shall include the representatives of the following interests:

(1) Public education;

(2) Private education;

(3) Fish biology and management;

(4) Wildlife biology and management; and

(5) Tribal governments.

Each commissioner shall hold office for a term of four years and until a successor has been appointed.

The governor shall appoint an executive director based upon recommendations made by the commission. The executive director shall be exempt from the civil service provisions of Title 41 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sole duty of the commission is to raise and distribute funds for the purpose of providing educational programs and projects in fish and wildlife preservation and management to public and private elementary and secondary schools and students. The commission shall solicit gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises, whether real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise, to be directed to the commission for the purposes of supporting existing programs and creating new programs for grades kindergarten through twelve in fish and wildlife education. The commission shall solicit contracts for work, financial and in-kind contributions, and support from private industries, interest groups, federal and state sources, and other sources for the purposes of this chapter.

All receipts shall be placed by the commission into the fish and wildlife education account created in section 9 of this act.

The commission shall develop criteria for project or program funding. The commission shall, on a quarterly basis and subject to availability of funds, solicit applications for funding new or existing fish and wildlife education programs or projects from educators, schools, school districts, and agencies. The commission shall distribute funds to applicants for projects and programs that meet the commission's criteria. If sufficient funds are not available to fund projects and programs fully, the commission may fund such projects and programs in part, at the commission's discretion.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The executive director shall employ such staff as the commission deems necessary who shall be state employees but shall be exempt from the civil service provisions of Title 41 RCW. The executive director shall prescribe the duties of the staff to implement the purposes of this chapter. After June 30, 1993, salaries and expenses for all staff shall be paid out of the fish and wildlife education account. If on June 30, 1993, or any time thereafter, sufficient funds for staff support are available in the fish and wildlife education account, the chair of the commission shall transmit sufficient funds to cover the cost of the staff between the initial date of the hire of staff and June 30, 1993, from the fish and wildlife education account to the state treasurer for placement into the general fund.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. At its first meeting, the commissioners shall elect a chair and an executive secretary and shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW for the conduct of their meetings. The commission shall meet at least quarterly. Members of the commission shall receive no additional compensation for their services except travel expenses shall be allowed in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The fish and wildlife education account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from funds obtained by the commission on funding for fish and wildlife education pursuant to section 6 of this act shall be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for fish and wildlife education. Only the chair of the commission on funding for fish and wildlife education or the chair's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 5 through 8 of this act shall not take effect until legislation is enacted that makes specific moneys available to carry out the provisions of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter and law number, or until moneys are transmitted by private or public donors to the fish and wildlife account created in section 9 of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter and law number. The first meeting of the commission under section 8 of this act shall occur not later than three months after the enactment of such legislation or the transmission of donated money to the account created in section 9 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 1 and 5 through 10 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28A RCW.