S-0978

AN ACT Relating to a fish and wildlife work force; adding a new chapter to Title 50 RCW; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that an increase in unemployment due to the declining timber economy in the state is imminent. The legislature further recognizes that employment opportunities in other natural resource management professions exist and that natural resource enhancements in the areas of fisheries, wildlife, and recreation can bring needed income to distressed local economies in the state. It is the intent of the legislature that displaced timber workers be given training in and opportunities to compete for employment in other resource management professions, and to establish a pilot program in Skagit county to accomplish this objective. The Skagit river represents a potential recreational fishery that, if enhanced, will bring much needed income to Skagit county. Enhancements to the fishery on the Skagit river are planned over the next several years, and workers will be needed to fill these positions. Displaced timber workers will be available to do this work.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Department" means the employment security department.

(2) "Dislocated timber worker" means any individual who:

(a) Has been terminated or received a notice of termination from employment in a timber-related occupation;

(b) Is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits; and

(c) Is unlikely to return to employment in the individual's principal occupation or previous industry because of a diminishing demand for his or her skills in that occupation or industry.

(3) "College" means Skagit Valley Community College.

(4) "Local development agency" means the economic development association of Skagit county.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A pilot project shall be established, coordinated jointly by the department and the college, in Skagit county. The project shall be of five years duration.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The college shall develop a training program designed for dislocated timber workers and their spouses, and in doing so, shall:

(1) Consult with, at a minimum, the departments of natural resources, ecology, wildlife, and fisheries, the parks and recreation commission, and other state, federal, local, and private employers in Skagit county to determine minimum employment qualifications in the areas of natural resource management and enhancement of the Skagit river; and

(2) Develop a program that will provide needed educational skills to dislocated timber workers and their spouses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department shall contract with the local development agency to coordinate with the college and the departments of wildlife, ecology, natural resources, and fisheries, the parks and recreation commission, and other state, federal, local, and private employers in assisting dislocated timber workers and their spouses in securing education and employment in the natural resource professions. The local development agency shall also provide information on the training program established under section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department and the college shall jointly report to the legislature on their progress by November 1 of each year, beginning in 1991 and ending November 1, 1996. This report shall include a college program description, numbers of students, numbers of referrals for existing positions by the local development agency, and numbers of positions filled by dislocated timber workers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act shall expire January 1, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 through 7 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 50 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 15, 1991.