SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5801

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, MARCH 2, 1993

Brief Description:  Creating the water resources policy commission.

SPONSORS: Senators Fraser and Barr

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5801 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Sutherland, Chairman; Jesernig, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Hochstatter, Owen, A. Smith, Vognild, West, and Williams.

Staff:  Erika Lim (786‑7488)

Hearing Dates: February 22, 1993; March 2, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Water resources are managed by a number of different agencies and local governments.  This has caused uncoordinated, inconsistent and conflicting policies, as well as delays in decision-making due to uncertainty and "red tape."  Demands on water resources have risen and continue to rise through increased residential, business, industrial, and agricultural uses.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Water Resources Policy Commission is created to comprehensively review water resource management programs and to make recommendations for improvement and implementation of management decisions.

The commission consists of 11 members:  the Governor or the Governor's representative; two members of the House of Representatives; two members of the Senate; and six members to represent the interests of Native American tribes, agriculture, local government, environmental groups, business, and fisheries and wildlife.  The Governor will provide staff.  The commission may enter into contracts for work necessary to fulfill its duties.

The commission must conduct a comprehensive review of and make recommendations on water resources management in the state.  The commission will develop a work plan to set priorities, establish a schedule, and identify goals for providing a report on each subject.  The commission will periodically report to the Governor and the Legislature.  The final report to the Legislature is due by November 1, 1994.

This act and the commission will expire on December 31, 1996.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The size and composition of the commission is changed.  The commission will have between 22 and 27 members:  the Governor or the Governor's representative; five members of the House of Representatives, with at least two from each party; five members of the Senate, with at least two members from each party; five executive branch members; five representatives of local government; the Commissioner of Public Lands or his or her designee; and up to five representatives of federally recognized Indian tribes.

Appropriation:  unspecified

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Kathleen Collins, Assn. of WA Cities; Terry Husseman, Dept. of Ecology; Greg Hanon, Tacoma Public Utilities