SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5718

               As Passed Senate, March 10, 1995

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:  2/10/95, 2/17/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/10/95, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  Volunteer groups may use state property to raise funds to assist programs which help state parks.  The authority to use state property for volunteer fund raising events does not extend to use the property of the Department of Fish and Wildlife for fund raising events. 

Summary of Bill:  The Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife may enter into agreements with any nonprofit volunteer group, including regional fish enhancements and volunteer cooperative fish and wildlife enhancement groups.  The agreements allow those groups to undertake projects to raise donations, gifts, and grants.  The funds are used to carry out the mandates of the Fish and Wildlife code to benefit fish and wildlife programs.  The department is authorized to have agency personnel and services available to assist in the projects if available.  The projects may be conducted on state property.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This will help fund fish and wildlife programs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Steve Bell, Friends of Issaquah Hatchery (pro).

House Amendment(s):  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 that enhance support for the hatchery or 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 conduct activities on the grounds of the hatchery.

The director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall establish guidelines and shall encourage arrangements between hatchery managers and nonprofit volunteer groups.