HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5251

BYSenators Owen, McDonald, DeJarnatt, Conner and West; by request of Department of Game

Changing the name of the department of game to the department of wildlife.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Amondson, Ballard, Basich, Beck, Belcher, Bumgarner, Cole, Hargrove, Haugen, R. King, Meyers, Sayan, C. Smith, Spanel and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES MARCH 31, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Game and the Washington State Game Commission was created in 1932.  At that time, the emphasis of both the commission and the department was primarily on hunting birds and animals and on fishing.  The responsibilities of the department to manage all varieties of wildlife has expanded over the years.  Designating the commission and the department as a Wildlife Commission and Wildlife Department would reflect the interests and responsibilities as they have changed.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The name of the Department of Game, the Game Commission, the director of Game, the Game Fund, and the Game Reserves are changed to Wildlife Commission and the Department of Wildlife.  Whenever the word "Game" is used on any official sign, stationery, equipment, or other property of the Department of Game in existence on the effective date of the act, the meaning shall be Wildlife instead of Game.  Whenever official signs, stationery, or other property are replaced, they shall be replaced with property bearing the term Wildlife.

All references to the Department of Game, the Game Commission, the director of Game, the Game Fund, and Game Reserves are changed to mean the Department of Wildlife, the Wildlife Commission, the director of Wildlife, the Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Reserves.

The name change shall not be construed as diminishing traditional emphasis on fostering and responsibly managing hunting and sports fishing.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ENGROSSED BILL:  Language specifying that the department's prime responsibility is to continue fostering hunting and fishing is replaced with a statement that the department will not diminish its traditional emphasis on fostering hunting and fishing.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Rich Poelker, Washington Department of Game.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This changes the name of the department to reflect its broader management responsibilities.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.