HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5718

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to fund‑raising on state property to benefit public fish and wildlife programs.

Brief Description:  Authorizing fund‑raising on state property to benefit public fish and wildlife programs.

Sponsors:  Senators Drew and Haugen.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/22/95, 3/28/95 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Fuhrman, Chairman; Buck, Vice Chairman; Pennington, Vice Chairman; Basich, Ranking Minority Member; Regala, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Beeksma; Cairnes; Elliot; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Romero; Sheldon; Stevens; B. Thomas and Thompson.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  The State Parks and Recreation Commission may enter into cooperative agreements with private nonprofit groups in order to raise money to support state parks.  The commission may allow the nonprofit groups to use state park property and facilities and may assist the nonprofit groups by providing agency personnel and services, if available.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Similar authority is provided to the managers of state fish hatcheries.  The manager of a state fish hatchery operated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife may allow nonprofit volunteer groups affiliated with the hatchery to undertake projects to raise donations, gifts, and grants to enhance support for the hatchery or for activities in the surrounding watershed that benefit the hatchery.  The manager may provide agency personnel and services, if available, to assist in the projects and may allow the volunteer groups to use the grounds of the hatchery for their activities.  The director of the department is to encourage and facilitate such arrangements and may establish guidelines for such arrangements.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill allows the director of the department to enter into agreements with nonprofit volunteer groups to support the purposes of the Fisheries Code and the Wildlife Code.  The amended bill allows the manager of a state hatchery to allow nonprofit volunteer groups affiliated with the hatchery to enhance support for the hatchery.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  We are working on preserving the Issaquah hatchery and on habitat improvement.  This will help us raise funds and add value to the state's investment.  This group has had a positive and productive relationship with the hatchery.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ava Frisinger and Steve Bell, Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (in favor); and Ed Manary, Department of Fish and Wildlife (neutral).