SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5268

As Amended by House, April 7, 2009

Title: An act relating to the fish and wildlife equipment revolving account.

Brief Description: Creating the fish and wildlife equipment revolving account.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker, Jacobsen and Shin; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/26/09, 1/29/09 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/26/09, 47-0.Passed House: 4/07/09, 98-0.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5268 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Ranker, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hatfield, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: The predominant source of funding for Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) activities comes from the two primary state accounts, the General Fund and Wildlife Account, which provide over half of DFW's funding. Federal, private, and local sources also provide significant funding for agency activities, including through contracts with the DFW.

In addition to the operation of its programs, DFW purchases, maintains, and repairs vehicles using these funding sources and accounts. According to DFW, the agency operates approximately 1,150 vehicles, 141 off-road vehicles, 355 vessels, and 163 pieces of heavy equipment.

Among the natural resource agencies, the Legislature has authorized the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to manage the Natural Resources Equipment Fund. DNR is authorized to use this non-appropriated account to purchase, repair, and maintain equipment, machinery, and supplies.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Fish and Wildlife Equipment Revolving Account (account) is created. The account is a non-appropriated account, and only the Director of Fish and Wildlife, or the Director's designee, may authorize expenditures. DFW may only use funds in the account for the purchase, lease, operation, repair, and maintenance of vehicles, vessels, and heavy equipment (collectively equipment).

DFW must reimburse the account for all expenditures from the account. DFW may choose to prorate reimbursements to the account over the useful life of the vehicle, vessel, or heavy equipment purchased. Reimbursements may come from legislative appropriations or other sources.

The terms and charges for the intra-agency use or for the disposal of equipment is solely within DFW's discretion.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Because DFW currently does not have a revolving equipment fund, it cannot charge vehicle depreciation costs under its contracts. This creates a system where DFW cannot think long-term regarding fleet management, and where DFW can only purchase vehicles on an ad-hoc basis.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Jeff Olsen, Ross Fuller, DFW.

House Amendment(s): The House striking amendment removes language providing that any equipment acquired after the bill takes effect is deemed to have been purchased from the account regardless of the source of funding for the purchase.