SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5595

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

   Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, February 24, 1999

                  Ways & Means, March 4, 1999

Title:  An act relating to salmon recovery funding.

Brief Description:  Establishing the salmon recovery funding board.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen and Fraser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  2/11/99, 2/24/99 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means:  3/3/99, 3/4/99 [DP2S].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5595 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5595 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Loveland, Chair; Bauer, Vice Chair; Fraser, Kline, Kohl‑Welles, Rasmussen, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass substitute.

  Signed by Senator Honeyford.

Staff:  Kari Guy (786-7437)

Background:  A coordinated framework for responding to the endangered salmon crisis was passed in the 1998 legislative session.  A number of grant programs were developed and funded resulting from that legislation.

Concern exists that funding for salmon recovery projects is not fully prioritized on a statewide basis and that a single entity needs to be available for allocation of funds.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:  A three-member salmon recovery board is created to allocate funds for salmon recovery needs.  Board members must have expertise necessary to provide strong fiscal oversight of salmon-related expenditures.  The Governor appoints the board to staggered four-year terms, subject to confirmation by the Senate.  Staffing for the board is provided by the Salmon Recovery Office.  Board members are paid  $100 per working day.

The board must emphasize funding for projects which: (1) protect habitat rather than restore habitat; (2) meet scientific principles; (3) have high fish production potential; (4) preserve genetic diversity; (5) improve habitat; and (6) address near-term risks.

The board must develop procedures and criteria for allocation of funds, but these procedures may be waived to conform to specific legislative appropriations.  The board must track all funds allocated for salmon recovery and water quality projects, and provide a biennial report to the Legislature.

The interagency review team and independent science panel must assist the board.  The Department of Ecology is added to the membership of the interagency review team.

The board is to consider funding recommendations made by the Government Council on Natural Resources.

A salmon recovery account is created in the state treasury.

Second Substitute Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Board member qualifications are changed to focus on financial expertise, and board members must be confirmed by the Senate.  The requirement for a GIS system is deleted.  A biennial report to the Legislature of expenditures is added.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Government Council on Natural Resources can make funding recommendations to the board.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For (Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation):  Additional governance structure is needed to assure that salmon recovery projects are properly evaluated, funded, and that the projects are effective in restoring salmon runs.

Testimony Against (Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation):  Too much emphasis is placed on habitat restoration and more restrictions on harvest are needed.

Testified (Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation):  PRO:  Ron Shultz, National Audubon Society; Enid Sayes, Washington State Horticulture Association; Dawn Vyvyan, Yakima Nation; Kathleen Collins, Washington Water Policy Alliance.

Testimony For (Ways & Means):  There are 13 agencies spending over $600 million on salmon and water.  People with worthy projects don=t know how or where to apply.  This will avoid duplication and allow the state to account for and monitor all money spent.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means):  None.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Ron Shultz, National Audubon Society (pro); Paul Parker, WA State Assn. of Counties (pro w/concerns).