SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6615

As of January 24, 2002

Title:  An act relating to providing a fee for hydraulic project approvals.

Brief Description:  Allowing the department of fish and wildlife to charge a fee for hydraulic project approvals processing.

Sponsors:  Senators Regala, Jacobsen, Snyder, Spanel and Swecker; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  2/4/02.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Background:  Hydraulic project approvals are issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife for work that occurs within the waters of the state.

No fees are currently charged for hydraulic project approvals.  Charging a fee for approvals could raise sufficient revenue to partially or completely fund the cost of administering hydraulic project applications.

Summary of Bill:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission must adopt rules that establish a fee structure for hydraulic permit approvals by July 31, 2002.  The criteria and fee amount is based on a workload analysis conducted by the department.  The capital cost of the project may be a factor for the fee criteria.  Fees generated from hydraulic permit applications are placed in the general fund for purposes of funding the hydraulic permit program.

Fees for hydraulic permit applications are exempt from provisions of Initiative 601 that limit the increases in fees to the fiscal growth factor.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 24, 2002.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.