S-0979

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 state and local government in other natural resource management professions exist and that dislocated workers in the timber-related professions represent a potential work force in the areas of fisheries, wildlife, and recreation. In Skagit county, unemployment due to a timber supply reduction is expected; however, an increase in other natural resource positions for Skagit river enhancement is expected in the next few years.

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

(1) "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 their skills in that occupation or industry.

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

(3) "Project" means the natural resource worker project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department shall establish the natural resource worker project. The project shall be located in Skagit county, shall terminate on July 1, 1996, and shall provide employment and training opportunities for dislocated timber workers in the areas of fisheries, wildlife, recreation, and other natural resource professions. The department of personnel shall approve the project. The goal of the project is to allow project employees to be, upon termination of their participation in the project, eligible for permanent employment with the departments of wildlife, fisheries, ecology, and natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department shall use federal funds that it receives for dislocated timber workers to contract with the departments of wildlife, fisheries, ecology, and natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission to hire project participants to conduct tasks in the areas of fisheries, wildlife, forestry, ecology, and recreation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The project shall include the following elements:

(1) Recruitment of dislocated timber workers;

(2) Placement in the departments of wildlife, fisheries, ecology, and natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission;

(3) On-the-job training in entry-level natural resource management skills;

(4) Comparable salaries and benefits to entry-level positions already existing in the departments of wildlife, fisheries, ecology, and natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department, along with the departments of personnel, wildlife, fisheries, ecology, and natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission shall report annually to the legislature on November 1 of each year beginning November 1, 1992, and until November 1, 1995.

The report shall include, at a minimum, the following elements:

(1) The number of project employees;

(2) The number and description of positions filled, by agency;

(3) Training received;

(4) Duration of employment; and

(5) Placement in permanent positions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 50 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. 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.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. This act shall expire August 1, 1996.