S-2620.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8409
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Senators Metcalf and Owen.
Read first time April 18, 1991. Referred to Committee on Environment & Natural Resources.
WHEREAS, In 1987 the department of game became the department of wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Additional revenues from the general fund resulted in additional attention being placed on wildlife issues of interest to the general public, such as habitat and nongame species; and
WHEREAS, The funding of the department is inadequate to satisfy all constituents of the department, including consumptive and nonconsumptive users of the wildlife resource; and
WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the people and wildlife of the state of Washington to add to and broaden the department of wildlife's funding base to allow all sectors of the public to contribute to wildlife and to allow wildlife and habitat to be adequately protected;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a joint select committee on the department of wildlife be established to review the following:
(1) An examination of sources of funding, and an evaluation of how funds from each funding source are used within each division or within each program of the department of wildlife, with particular attention to how funding sources and programs are separated into traditional game-related programs such as hunting and fishing and programs of general public benefit;
(2) An examination of funding for information and education programs;
(3) An evaluation of whether funding for the department is adequate to conduct needed programs, as determined by the department;
(4) An evaluation of the organization and structure of the department;
(5) An evaluation of how public input is used by the department to shape management policies and procedures; and
(6) A determination of whether research and surveys conducted by the department are adequate to conduct sound wildlife management; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee consist of twelve members selected as follows: Four shall be members of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, two from each of the two largest political caucuses, selected by the President of the Senate; four shall be members of the House of Representatives Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, two from each of the two largest political caucuses, selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; two from the Senate Ways and Means Committee, one from each of the two largest political caucuses, selected by the President of the Senate; and two from the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, one from each of the two largest political caucuses, selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee shall use legislative staff and facilities, but may hire additional staff with specific technical expertise if such expertise is necessary to carry out the mandates of this resolution. All expenses of the committee, including travel, shall be paid jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives. All expenses and hiring of additional staff shall be subject to the approval of the Senate Facilities and Operations Committee and the House of Representatives Executive Rules Committee as required by Joint Rule 26; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee shall report its findings and recommendations regarding needed changes in the responsibilities, mandates, organization, management, and funding of the department of wildlife to the legislature by December 1, 1992; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall terminate July 1, 1993.