2957.E AMS WARN TREM 101

EHB 2957 - S AMD 901

By Senator Warnick

NOT ADOPTED 03/02/2018

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

(1) A legislative task force on marine finfish net pen aquaculture is established. The purpose of the task force is to gather evidence and make recommendations regarding marine fin fish net pen aquaculture in state marine waters.

(2) The task force must consist of the following members:

(a) Two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the leaders of each major caucus of the senate;

(b) Two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the leaders of each major caucus of the house of representatives;

(d) A representative from the department of fish and wildlife, appointed by the director of the department of fish and wildlife;

(e) A representative from the natural resources board, appointed by a majority vote of the board;

(f) A representative from the department of agriculture, appointed by the director of the department of agriculture

(g) One representative from a nonnative finfish net pen aquaculture operator;

(h) One representative from a native finfish net pen aquaculture organization or operator;

(i) Representatives of two federally recognized Indian tribes; at least one of which must have aquaculture operations.

(j) Three representatives from the scientific community with an emphasis on salmon run recovery, salmon biology and health, and marine ecosystem health.

(k) One representative from the Washington Association of Fish Growers.

(3) The first meeting of the task force must occur by June 30, 2018.

(4) Staff support for the task force must be provided by the office of program research and senate committee services. The department of ecology and the department of fish and wildlife shall cooperate with the task force and provide information as the chair reasonably requests.

(5) Within existing appropriations, the expenses of the operations of the task force, including the expenses associated with the task force's meetings, must be paid jointly and in equal amounts by the senate and the house of representatives. Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the house executive rules committee and the senate facility and operations committee. Legislative members of the task force are reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members are not entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses if they are elected officials or are participating on behalf of an employer, governmental entity, or other organization. Any reimbursement for other nonlegislative members is subject to chapter 43.03 RCW.

(7) The task force shall have two co-chairs. One co-chair shall be a member of the majority caucus from the S

(8) By November 15, 2019, the joint legislative task force must make recommendations to the legislature.

(9) The joint legislative task force expires December 31, 2019.

(10) This section expires January 1, 2020.

EFFECT: Makes the bill a task force with recommendations required to the legislature by November 15, 2019.

--- END ---