H-101                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 278

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State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Ballard, Bristow, Vekich, Brooks, Todd, Madsen, Chandler, Nealey, Fuhrman, Hastings, Isaacson, Doty, Long, Baugher and C. Smith

Read first time 1/28/85 and referred to Committee on Agriculture. Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/18/85.

AN ACT Relating to diffuse knapweed; creating new sections; making appropriations; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that since diffuse knapweed has been introduced into this state it has spread rapidly and is potentially extremely harmful to the state's economy.  The legislature finds it necessary to conduct a pilot program for controlling the weed by biological and chemical means and to provide further research on the effects of the weed while the spread of the knapweed may still be controlled.  The legislature directs all agencies of the state to cooperate fully with those conducting the pilot control and research programs to achieve the objectives established by this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     Washington State University shall conduct a study of the potential effects of infestations of diffuse knapweed on seedling reforestation efficiency and on the ability of range lands to support livestock and game.  Preliminary results of the study shall be filed with the legislature, the department of game, the department of agriculture, and the commissioner of public lands by July 30, 1986, and a final report shall be filed by June 30, 1987.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     There is appropriated to Washington State University from the general fund for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, the sum of thirty-two thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the study required by section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     There is appropriated to Washington State University from the general fund for the biennium ending June 30, 1985, the sum of twenty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to provide  biological control organisms for assisting in the control of diffuse knapweed infestations in the state.  Any moneys from this appropriation remaining unexpended on June 30, 1985, are hereby reappropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     There is appropriated to the department of game from the general fund, for the biennium ending June 30, 1985, the sum of twenty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to purchase and to apply by contract herbicides for the control or eradication of diffuse knapweed on public access areas managed by the department within Okanogan county.  The contract or contracts shall be let in a manner that will provide effective control on each such access area within the county.  None of the moneys appropriated by this section may be used by the department for administrative purposes.  Any moneys from this appropriation remaining unexpended on June 30, 1985, are hereby reappropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     Sections 4 and 5 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.