SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5590
As Passed Senate, February 14, 2022
Title: An act relating to eliminating the 2022 expiration date of the marine resources advisory council.
Brief Description: Eliminating the 2022 expiration date of the marine resources advisory council.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology (originally sponsored by Senators Wagoner, Das, Lovelett, Mullet and Rolfes).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Environment, Energy & Technology: 1/19/22, 1/27/22 [DPS].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/14/22, 47-0.
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Extends the expiration date of the Marine Resources Advisory Council to June 30, 2032.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5590 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Carlyle, Chair; Lovelett, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Brown, Das, Fortunato, Liias, Lovick, Nguyen, Schoesler, Sheldon, Stanford and Wellman.
Staff: Ashley Trunnell (786-7278)
Background:

In 2013, the Legislature created the Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) within the Office of the Governor.  The purpose of MRAC is to maintain a sustainable and coordinated focus to address impacts of ocean acidification.
 
MRAC members include legislators; the Governor or the Governor's designee; elected officials; representatives from tribes, commercial and recreational fishing, shellfish growers, state agencies, marine recreation and businesses; and others from the private sector.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and academic institutions conducting research on ocean acidification may participate as non-voting members by invitation of the Governor.
 
MRAC is required to meet at least twice per year and provide opportunity for public comment.  MRAC's powers and duties include:

  • maintaining a coordinated focus to address the impacts of ocean acidification;
  • advising and working with the Washington Ocean Acidification Center on the effects and sources of ocean acidification;
  • providing recommendations to the Governor and Legislature;
  • seeking public and private funding resources to support MRAC's recommendations; and
  • assisting in conducting public education activities regarding ocean acidification.

 
MRAC expires June 30, 2022.
Summary of First Substitute Bill:

The expiration date of MRAC is extended to June 30, 2032. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO:  MRAC is the gold standard for ocean acidification research and coordination.  MRAC is necessary to address the ongoing issue of ocean acidification and provide further research to develop resiliency for the coastline and marine industries.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Keith Wagoner, Prime Sponsor; Jessie Turner, International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification; Martha Kongsgaard, Chair, MRAC.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.