HB 1785-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides financial resources to local governments to increase the implementation of and compliance with the Puget Sound water quality plan, and to keep and create environmentally sound, high wage, and stable employment in the Puget Sound region.

     Establishes the environmental and forest restoration account.

     Establishes criteria for the award of grants, loans, or contracts for projects.

     Establishes the environmental enhancement and job creation task force.

     Repeals RCW 43.220.900.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1785-S

                   May 18, 1993

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 6 and 7, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1785 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to investing in the creation of jobs to restore and enhance Washington's estuaries, waterways, forests and watersheds;"

     This bill establishes an innovative program to create new jobs in the area of environmental restoration.  The focus will be on performing such restoration work on a watershed basis with at least one half of the effort going into Washington's timber-dependent communities.  For the coming biennium, $6.5 million is available in the budget to implement environmental and forestry restoration projects such as those envisioned by Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1785.

     I am vetoing section 6 regarding first year project funding because there are no projects in the operating or capital budgets to be funded as referenced by this section.  In regard to the section 7 provisions on unanticipated federal funds, RCW 43.79.270 states that agencies can submit an unanticipated receipt only if it is designated for a specific purpose.  Therefore, the Governor will not be able to transfer, as section 7 would require, any federal funds into this account because they will be designated for a specific purpose.  For this reason, I am vetoing section 7.

     With the exception of sections 6 and 7, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1785 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor