BILL REQ. #:  S-1634.6 

READ FIRST TIME 02/25/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating an invasive species council; and adding a new chapter to Title 77 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) The land, water, and other resources of Washington are being severely impacted by the invasion of an increasing number of harmful invasive plant and animal species.
     (2) These impacts are resulting in damage to Washington's environment and causing economic hardships.
     (3) The multitude of public and private organizations with an interest in controlling and preventing the spread of harmful invasive species in Washington need a mechanism for cooperation, communication, collaboration, and developing a statewide plan of action to meet these threats.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) There is created in the office of the governor the Washington invasive species council.
     (2) The purpose of the invasive species council is to provide policy level direction, planning, and coordination for combating harmful invasive species throughout the state and preventing the introduction of others that may be potentially harmful.
     (3) The invasive species council is a joint effort between local, tribal, state, and federal governments, as well as the private sector and nongovernmental interests. The purpose of the invasive species council is to foster cooperation, communication, and coordinated approaches that support local, state, and regional initiatives for the prevention and control of invasive species.
     (4) For the purposes of this chapter, "invasive species" include nonnative organisms that cause economic or environmental harm and are capable of spreading to new areas of the state. "Invasive species" does not include domestic livestock, intentionally planted agronomic crops, or nonharmful exotic organisms.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) Membership in the invasive species council includes a representative from the following state entities:
     (a) The department of agriculture, represented by the director or the director's designee;
     (b) The department of fish and wildlife, represented by the director or the director's designee;
     (c) The department of ecology, represented by the director or the director's designee;
     (d) The department of natural resources, represented by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee; and
     (e) The Washington state noxious weed control board, appointed by the board.
     (2) The invasive species council must invite one representative each from the United States department of agriculture, the United States fish and wildlife service, and the United States coast guard to participate on the council in a nonvoting, ex officio, capacity.
     (3) A representative of the office of the governor must convene the first meeting of the invasive species council and serve as chair until the invasive species council selects a chair. At the first meeting of the invasive species council, the council shall address issues including, but not limited to, voting methods, meeting schedules, and the need for and use of advisory and technical committees.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The invasive species council's goals are to:
     (1) Minimize the effects of harmful invasive species on Washington's citizens and ensure the economic and environmental well-being of the state;
     (2) Serve as a forum for identifying and understanding invasive species issues from all perspectives;
     (3) Serve as a forum to facilitate the communication, cooperation, and coordination of local, tribal, state, federal, private, and nongovernmental entities for the prevention, control, and management of nonnative invasive species;
     (4) Serve as an avenue for public outreach and for raising public awareness of invasive species issues;
     (5) Develop and implement a statewide invasive species strategic plan as described in this chapter;
     (6) Make recommendations for legislation necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
     (7) Establish criteria for the prioritization of invasive species response actions and projects; and
     (8) Utilizing the process described in subsection (7) of this section, select at least one project per year from the strategic plan for coordinated action by the Washington invasive species council member entities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   (1) The invasive species council shall develop and periodically update a statewide strategic plan for addressing invasive species. The strategic plan should incorporate the reports and activities of the aquatic nuisance species committee, the biodiversity council, the state noxious weed control board, and other appropriate reports and activities.
     (2) The strategic plan must, at a minimum, address:
     (a) Statewide coordination and intergovernmental cooperation;
     (b) Prevention of new biological invasions through deliberate or unintentional introduction;
     (c) Inventory and monitoring of invasive species;
     (d) Early detection of and rapid response to new invasions;
     (e) Control, management, and eradication of established populations of invasive species;
     (f) Projects that can be implemented during the period covered by the strategic plan for the control, management, and eradication of new or established populations of invasive species;
     (g) Revegetation, reclamation, or restoration of native species following control or eradication of invasive species;
     (h) Research and public education;
     (i) Funding and resources available for invasive species prevention, control, and management; and
     (j) Recommendations for legislation necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
     (3) The strategic plan must be updated at least once every three years following its initial development. The strategic plan must be submitted to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by September 15th of each applicable year. The invasive species council shall complete the initial strategic plan within two years of the effective date of this section.
     (4) Each state department and agency named to the invasive species council shall, consistent with state law, make best efforts to implement elements of the completed plan that are applicable to the department or agency.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The invasive species council shall submit an annual report of its activities to the governor and the relevant policy committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 15th of each year. The annual report must include an evaluation of progress made in the preceding year to implement or carry out the strategic plan and an identification of projects from the strategic plan that will be a focus for the following year.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   The invasive species council may establish advisory and technical committees that it considers necessary to aid and advise the invasive species council in the performance of its functions. The committees may be continuing or temporary committees. The invasive species council shall determine the representation, membership, terms, and organization of the committees and appoint their members.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   The invasive species council account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Only the chair of the invasive species council and the director of the department of agriculture may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW and an appropriation to the department of agriculture is required for expenditures.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 1 through 8 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 77 RCW.