SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6449

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

    Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, January 31, 2000

Title:  An act relating to master wildlife‑viewing guides.

Brief Description:  Creating a program to recognize master wildlife‑viewing guides.

Sponsors:  Senator Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  1/26/2000, 1/31/2000 [DPS-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6449 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, Oke, Rossi, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  The wildlife viewing and ecotourism businesses are developing rapidly as new industries within Washington State.

There is a need to develop professional standards for wildlife guides and tour operators by fostering a working relationship between the industry and the Department of Fish and Wildlife in a nonregulatory atmosphere.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife must work with wildlife guides, tour operators, and nonprofit entities to jointly develop best management practices and a code of ethics, wildlife guide professional competence standards, training materials, master guide decals, and other  applicable publications.  The department must develop a nature tourism enterprise training workshop, which will include providing opportunities for displaced timber workers to obtain information on becoming wildlife guides.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Nonprofit entities are allowed to help develop guide standards.  Displaced timber workers are provided information on becoming wildlife viewing guides.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Wildlife viewing is a rapidly expanding business and professional standards and best management practices need to be developed for guides and tour operators.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Rocky Beard, WDFW; Ron Shultz, National Audubon Society; BJ Fandrich, GH Audubon Society; Katrina Weihs, National Audubon Society/Tahoma Chapter; Scott Morrison, Washington Ornithological Society.