BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the creation of fish and wildlife regional advisory councils; adding new sections to chapter 77.04 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature acknowledges the challenge facing fish and wildlife commission members as these part-time commissioners strive to understand all of the different fish and wildlife issues around the state. Within each region of the state there are people with an understanding of the fish and wildlife issues in that region and with a willingness to share their time and expertise to assist the commission in the sound management of the state's fish and wildlife resources. The legislature finds that the creation of regional advisory councils will allow the commission to take advantage of this local expertise and will provide an efficient way for the commission to better understand the effects of fish and wildlife policy proposals on different regions of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 77.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A fish and wildlife regional advisory council shall be established in each administrative region of the department.

(2) Each regional advisory council shall be comprised of seven members who are residents of the region and who are knowledgeable about fish and wildlife issues in that region.

(3) To select regional advisory council members, the county legislative authority in each county within the administrative region shall designate one person as the county's representative on a selection committee for the region. If a county is in more than one administrative region, the county shall choose one region in which to participate. The selection committee shall solicit qualified nominees for the regional advisory council for that region from either (a) organized groups representing sportfishers, commercial fishers, hunters, private landowners, and environmentalists, or (b) organized groups representing a mix of interests more tailored to fish and wildlife interests in that particular region as determined by the selection committee, provided that the commission has approved the alternative list of interests prior to the selection committee's solicitation of nominations. The selection committee shall consider the nominees submitted and shall select a regional advisory council representing a balance of interests in the region. The selection committee shall submit its chosen panel to the respective county legislative authorities for confirmation.

(4) Four of the initial members of each regional advisory council shall serve two-year terms, and three shall serve four-year terms. The selection committees shall determine which initial members serve two-year and four-year terms. Thereafter each member shall serve a four-year term. After a person has served a four-year term, four years must elapse before that person is eligible to serve another term.

(5) Regional advisory council members shall not be compensated but are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Members may decline to receive reimbursement for travel expenses.

(6) The chair of an advisory council may remove a member from that council if the member has missed three consecutive meetings without having the absence excused in advance by the chair.

(7) The county legislative authorities in a region may reconvene a selection committee to fill a vacancy on an advisory council. The person selected to fill the vacancy shall serve the unexpired term.

(8) Each regional advisory council shall select from its members a chair and a vice-chair. A majority of members constitutes a quorum. Regional advisory councils shall conduct open public meetings in accordance with chapter 42.30 RCW. Each council shall determine meeting times, meeting places, and other procedural matters necessary to fulfill its duties.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 77.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The fish and wildlife regional advisory councils have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) When the commission is considering proposals to set hunting or fishing seasons, bag limits, or other policy proposals that would affect fish and wildlife resources in the administrative region, or any general policy that would apply state-wide, the commission shall forward these proposals to the regional advisory council with enough time in advance for each council to solicit input on the proposals from within the region. The commission shall actively solicit input from the regional advisory councils on all policy decisions. Each council shall solicit testimony from the general public and from experts in the region on the possible impacts of the policy proposals to the region. Each council shall also gather relevant information on the policies and views of federal agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes in the region. Each council shall synthesize the information collected and shall provide a regional perspective on the policy proposals to the commission. A regional advisory council may also make specific recommendations to the commission about the policy proposals.

(b) Each regional advisory council shall keep the commission informed on fish and wildlife issues emerging in or important to the region and may make recommendations to the commission on policies that the advisory council believes the commission should consider.

(2) The commission, before taking any formal action, shall consider any input from and recommendations made by the regional advisory councils. If the commission rejects a specific recommendation made by a regional advisory council, the commission shall provide a written explanation for the rejection to the council.