[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to regional fisheries enhancement groups; amending RCW 75.50.115; and adding a new section to chapter 75.50 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 75.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department shall provide coordination and technical assistance to facilitate the application by prospective groups to be regional fisheries enhancement groups. The department shall provide a format and guidelines that any prospective group may use to make an initial application. Prospective groups must submit the applications to the department. Applications are reviewed by the regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board under RCW 75.50.115.

(2) The department shall designate geographical areas for which regional fisheries enhancement groups may be formed. In addition to the regions in existence as of January 1, 1999, the department shall designate four more regions in eastern Washington for the formation of regional fisheries enhancement groups in order to assist in salmon and bull trout recovery efforts.

Sec. 2. RCW 75.50.115 and 1998 c 96 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board shall:

(a) Assess the training and technical assistance needs of the regional fisheries enhancement groups;

(b) Develop a training and technical assistance services plan in order to provide timely, topical technical assistance and training services to regional fisheries enhancement groups. The plan shall be provided to the director and to the senate and house of representatives natural resources committees no later than October 1, 1995, and shall be updated not less than every year. The advisory board shall provide ample opportunity for the public and interested parties to participate in the development of the plan. The plan shall include but is not limited to:

(i) Establishment of an information clearinghouse service that is readily available to regional fisheries enhancement groups. The information clearinghouse shall collect, collate, and make available a broad range of information on subjects that affect the development, implementation, and operation of diverse fisheries and habitat enhancement projects. The information clearinghouse service may include periodical news and informational bulletins;

(ii) An ongoing program in order to provide direct, on-site technical assistance and services to regional fisheries enhancement groups. The advisory board shall assist regional fisheries enhancement groups in soliciting federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, institutions of higher education, and private business for the purpose of providing technical assistance and services to regional fisheries enhancement group projects; and

(iii) A cost estimate for implementing the plan;

(c) Propose a budget to the director for operation of the advisory board and implementation of the technical assistance plan;

(d) Make recommendations to the director regarding regional enhancement group project proposals and funding of those proposals; ((~~and~~))

(e) Review applications by prospective groups applying for selection as regional fisheries enhancement groups in regions designated by the department for the establishment of regional fisheries enhancement groups. Only one group may be selected as a regional fisheries enhancement group per region. The advisory board shall recommend to the director which group shall be selected as the regional fisheries enhancement group for a region; and

(f) Establish criteria for the redistribution of unspent project funds for any regional enhancement group that has a year ending balance exceeding one hundred thousand dollars.

(2) The regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board may:

(a) Facilitate resolution of disputes between regional fisheries enhancement groups and the department;

(b) Promote community and governmental partnerships that enhance the salmon resource and habitat;

(d) Advocate for watershed management and restoration;

(e) Coordinate regional fisheries enhancement group workshops and training;

(f) Monitor and evaluate regional fisheries enhancement projects;

(g) Provide guidance to regional fisheries enhancement groups; and

(h) Develop recommendations to the director to address identified impediments to the success of regional fisheries enhancement groups.

(3)(a) The regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board shall develop recommendations for limitations on the amount of overhead that a regional fisheries enhancement group may charge from each of the following categories of funding provided to the group:

(i) Federal funds;

(ii) State funds;

(iii) Local funds; and

(iv) Private donations.

(b) The advisory board shall develop recommendations for limitations on the number and salary of paid employees that are employed by a regional fisheries enhancement group. The regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board shall adhere to the founding principles for regional groups that emphasize the volunteer nature of the groups, maximization of field-related fishery resource benefits, and minimization of overhead.

(c) The advisory board shall evaluate and make recommendations for the limitation or elimination of commissions, finders fees, or other reimbursements to regional fisheries enhancement group employees.

(((d) The regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board shall report to the appropriate legislative committees by January 1, 1999, on the board recommendations for overhead limitations, paid employee limitations, and commission limitations for regional fisheries enhancement groups.))