H-1196.1                  _______________________________________________

                                                      HOUSE BILL 1717

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Representatives Hansen, King, Chandler, Foreman, Roland and Mastin

Read first time 02/05/93.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Requiring that the departments of fisheries and wildlife and the wildlife commission merge by January 1, 1997.

          AN ACT Relating to a merger of the departments of fisheries and wildlife; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that there are inefficiencies in the current system of fish and wildlife management in the state.  Salmon, shellfish, and marine fish management are under the jurisdiction of the department of fisheries, and steelhead trout and resident fish and wildlife management are under the jurisdiction of the department of wildlife.  This separation results in duplication of effort, confusion for the public, conflicting missions regarding the state's fish and wildlife resources, and other inefficiencies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  On or before January 1, 1997, the department of fisheries, the department of wildlife, and the fish and wildlife commission shall merge to form a department of fish and wildlife.

          The departments shall consult with the commission, the legislative budget committee, and the office of financial management to determine the most cost-effective and efficient process for achieving the merger.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  On or before January 1, 1995, the departments shall present to the appropriate legislative committees recommended legislation encompassing all of the statutory changes necessary to complete the merger.

                                                           --- END ---