SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESHB 2078

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

   Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, February 21, 2000

Title:  An act relating to fish and wildlife.

Brief Description:  Merging Titles 75 and 77 RCW.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Buck, Regala, Eickmeyer and Anderson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  3/25/99, 4/1/99 [DPA]; 2/16/00, 2/21/2000 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Oke, Rossi, Snyder and Spanel.

Staff:  David Johnson (786-7754)

Background:  In 1993 the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Wildlife were merged into the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  For the most part, the laws generally governing food fish are contained in Title 75.  Also, most of the laws generally governing game and game fish are contained in Title 77.  Although legislation passed during the 1998 legislative session to reconcile many of the laws concerning enforcement of these titles, they remain as separate titles.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission, the director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife are all assigned various responsibilities under Titles 75 and 77.  A number of sections in Titles 75 and 77 contain language which is obsolete, confusing, or conflicts with some other section of law.  A single title of law to reflect the merger of the two agencies into the Department of Fish and Wildlife would add clarity to the statutes.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Title 75, Food Fish and Shellfish, is merged into title 77, Game and Game Fish.  Responsibilities are allocated between the commission, director, and department.  Conflicting requirements under the law are reconciled.  Language is clarified.  Provisions relating to the hunting of old world rates and mice are revised to reflect a taxonomic reclassification.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The striking amendment made changes necessary to reflect 1999 session laws.  It added a purpose section and revised the intent section.  It changed provisions related to old world rats and mice and specified disability coverage is available to all Fish and Wildlife officers.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill consolidates both titles after merger of the departments.  This has been worked on since last year and should be passed.  It will be beneficial for the smooth and efficient operation of the department.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Sump (pro).