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                             ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2366

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State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

By Representatives R. King, Wilson, Ludwig, Bray, Orr, May, Ferguson and Anderson

Read first time 01/15/92.  Referred to Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife.Requiring the legislative budget committee to study the feasibility of merging the department of fisheries and the department of wildlife.

     AN ACT Relating to a merger of the departments of fisheries and wildlife; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.      The legislature finds that there are inefficiencies in the current system of fish and wildlife management in the state.  Salmon, shellfish, and marine fish management are under the jurisdiction of the department of fisheries, and steelhead trout and resident fish and wildlife management are under the jurisdiction of the department of wildlife.  This separation results in duplication of effort, confusion for the public, conflicting missions regarding the state's fish and wildlife resources, and other inefficiencies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.      (1) By January 1, 1993, the legislative budget committee shall report on the feasibility of merging the departments of fisheries and wildlife, and shall recommend to the appropriate legislative committees whether a merger should occur and advise the committees on necessary statutory changes for a merger.  The legislative budget committee shall consider, at a minimum, the following factors:

     (a) Legislative intent of each agency;

     (b) Political accountability of each agency;

     (c) Functions and clientele of each agency;

     (d) Maintaining organizational consistency in a merger; and

     (e) Improving operational efficiency in a merger.

     (2) If the legislative budget committee recommends a merger, the report should also address the timing and method of implementing a reorganization.