SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESHB 2793

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Natural Resources, February 22, 1996

Title:  An act relating to implementation of Referendum Bill No. 45 by the fish and wildlife commission.

Brief Description:  Providing for implementation of Referendum 45.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Fuhrman, Jacobsen, Basich, Thompson, Grant and L. Thomas).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  2/20/96, 2/22/96 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Haugen, Morton, Oke, Owen, Snyder, Strannigan and Swecker.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  With the passage of Referendum 45 in the November 1995 general election, voters turned over primary control of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.  The referendum takes effect July 1, 1996.  This is the same date by which the commission is to report to the Legislature on the statutory changes necessary to implement the referendum fully.  These proposed changes could then be considered during the 1997 legislative session.  However, if specific changes are desired prior to the July 1, 1996, referendum effective date, these changes must be addressed during the 1996 legislative session.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Legislature begins to make the statutory changes necessary to fully implement Referendum 45, including implementation of the Fish and Wildlife Commission's expanded rulemaking responsibilities.  One statute from the 1993 merger bill regarding the appointment of the director by the Governor is repealed.  Two statutes describing duties of the director are amended to reflect the commission's responsibility for determining the director's duties.  In a number of places in the fisheries code, references to "rules of the director" are replaced with "rules of the department."  A majority vote of the commission members is necessary for rule adoption.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The striking amendment adds that a majority vote of the commission members is necessary for rule adoption.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 1996.

Testimony For:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission requests the legislation to assure that the statutes are compatible with Referendum 45.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ed Manary, Fish and Wildlife (pro).