FINAL BILL REPORT

SHCR 4407

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Sayan, Jacobsen, Basich, Unsoeld, Vekich, Sutherland, Fisch, Todd, Hargrove, Allen, Haugen, Appelwick, Meyers, Belcher, Locke, Fisher, Scott, Kremen, Ferguson, Sanders, Wang, Walk and S. Wilson) 

Creating joint committee on marine and ocean resources.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

BACKGROUND:

The United States Department of the Interior is preparing to start a leasing process for oil and gas exploration off the coast of Oregon and Washington.  A legislative and executive response to the leasing process is necessary to provide the state's input into the leasing process.

SUMMARY:

The legislature recognizes:  1) the unique marine environment and Washington's active interest in marine resources and ocean policy; 2) that the marine sector plays a vital role in Washington's economy; 3) that the federal role in ocean and marine development policy has grown significantly while state and local government funding has been curtailed; and 4) that responsibility is disbursed among numerous state agencies, making a coordinated effort necessary to provide an adequate response to the federal government.

A Joint Select Committee on Marine and Ocean Resources is established to review existing state and federal law, survey public and private information, develop a timeline of pending decisions and make recommendations to the legislature.  The select committee will regularly report to the legislature and its committees on the planned federal 1989-91 off-shore oil and gas leasing policies.

The select committee:  1) will consist of eight members, two members from the majority party and two members from the minority party of the Senate selected by the President of the Senate, and two members from the majority party and two members from the minority party of the House of Representatives, selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; 2) is encouraged to establish an advisory group to include representatives of state agencies, local government, institutions of higher education and the tribal nations; 3) may receive gifts, grants and endowments from public and private sources; and 4) is encouraged to coordinate its information gathering with appropriate standing committees of the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the Western State Legislative Conference and other quasi-governmental entities that are concerned with marine resources.

Authority for the joint select committee expires June 30, 1989.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 96   1

      Senate    49     0