HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2336

                      As Passed House:

                      February 6, 1996

Title:  An act relating to requiring approval of a majority of members of the fish and wildlife commission to adopt rules.

Brief Description:  Requiring approval of a majority of members of the fish and wildlife commission to adopt rules.

Sponsors:  Representatives Stevens, Fuhrman, Schoesler, Basich, Elliot, Johnson, Hargrove, Boldt, Sheldon, Campbell, Smith, Hymes, Thompson, Carlson, Mulliken, McMahan and Benton.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  1/23/96, 1/24/96 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

     Passed House:  2/6/96, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Fuhrman, Chairman; Buck, Vice Chairman; Basich, Ranking Minority Member; Regala, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Beeksma; Elliot; Hatfield; Jacobsen; Keiser; Sheldon; Stevens; L. Thomas and Thompson.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background: Prior to July 1, 1993, Wildlife Commission had six members.  A companion statute required approval of four commission members to adopt rules.

During the 1993 legislative session, the Legislature passed the bill merging the former departments of Fisheries and Wildlife.  The merger bill increased the number of members on the Fish and Wildlife Commission to nine.  However, the companion statute regarding the number of members' approval needed for rule-making was not amended.

Summary of Bill:  Five, rather than four, members' approval is necessary in order for the Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt permanent and emergency rules.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  We support this.

Testimony Against:  We have other concerns about the commission.

Testified:  Gerald W. Rowland, Modern Firearm Hunters of Washington (pro).