SENATE BILL REPORT

                  2SSB 5120

               As Passed Senate, March 18, 1997

Title:  An act relating to fish enhancement with remote site incubators.

Brief Description:  Providing for fish enhancement with remote site incubators.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Morton).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  1/21/97, 1/31/97 [DPS-WM, DNP].

Ways & Means:  3/10/97 [DP2S].

Passed Senate, 3/18/97, 48-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5120 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Roach, Stevens and Swecker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen and Spanel.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5120 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Fraser, Hochstatter, Long, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, Sheldon, Snyder, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786-7708)

Background:  Remote site incubators are a technology for increasing populations of salmon and trout.  Greater application of remote site incubators will assist in fish restoration efforts.

Summary of Bill:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission must instruct the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify sites for remote site incubators.  Existing construction crew employees may be used to construct incubators and assist in installing and maintaining them.  The department is directed to make surplus fish eggs available for the program and may contract with a variety of entities to purchase fish eggs for the program.  The department must work with fish farmers, other agencies, Indian tribes and volunteer groups to facilitate the program.  Remote site incubator technology must be tested with warm water fish.  The correctional industries program must be evaluated as a supplier of remote site incubators.

The director must approve remote site incubator projects unless they conflict with the wild salmonid policy.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available on first substitute.

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

Testimony For (Natural Resources & Parks):  Remote site incubators are a tested technology that has the potential to greatly increase salmon and trout populations.

Testimony Against (Natural Resources & Parks):  Remote site incubators are appropriate only in cases where they do not adversely effect natural spawning fish populations.

Testified (Natural Resources & Parks):  Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fisheries (pro); Scott Coughlin, Purse Seine Vessel Owners Assn. (pro); Bob Lake, Willapa Reg. Enhancement Gillnetters (pro); Earl Sande, HCSEC (pro); Mark Ashley, Willapa Bay Fisheries Enhancement Group (pro); Ric Abbett, Trout Unlimited (pro with concerns); Bruce Crawford, Fish & Wildlife; Al Adams; Jim Zimmerman, WA Fish Growers Assoc. (pro); Jerry Manuel; Heather Rainey, WA State Grange (pro).

Testimony For (Ways & Means):  The bill will give us an additional tool in our fisheries enhancement programs.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means):  None.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Willy O=Neil, Stilly Snohomish Fisheries Task Force (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The references to utilizing existing department employees and compliance with the wild salmonid policy are removed.  Otherwise, the bill is restructured but not substantially changed.