H-2255

AN ACT Relating to salmon stamps; adding new sections to chapter 77.12 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that salmon recovery in Washington state will involve everyone and will require funds to accomplish recovery measures. Several species of salmon in Washington are, or are expected to be, listed as threatened or endangered under the federal endangered species act. At present, these species include chinook, chum, bull trout and coho. To bring attention to the importance of the recovery of salmon and their place in Washington's heritage, raise funds for salmon recovery projects, and involve citizens of all ages, the Washington salmon stamp and Washington junior salmon stamp programs are created.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply throughout sections 2 through 7 of this act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Salmon" means all species of the genus Oncorhynchus, except those classified as game fish in this title, and includes:

Scientific Name Common Name

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho salmon

Oncorhynchus keta Chum salmon

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pink salmon

Oncorhynchus nerka Sockeye salmon

(2) "Department" means the department of fish and wildlife.

(3) "Committee" means the salmon stamp selection committee created in section 5 of this act.

(4) "Stamp" means the stamp created under the Washington salmon stamp program and the Washington junior salmon stamp program, created in sections 2 through 7 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The Washington salmon stamp program is created in the department. The purpose of the program is the creation of a stamp that will portray a salmonid species native to Washington and will be used for stamps, prints, and posters that can be sold in a wide range of prices and editions to appeal to citizens and collectors interested in supporting salmon restoration. The proceeds from the sale of the Washington salmon stamp shall be used for protection, preservation, and restoration of salmonid habitat in Washington.

(2) Every year the department will announce competition, open to all Washington artists, for the creation of the year's Washington salmon stamp. The department will market the stamp and prints through a wide distribution method including web sites, license sites, and at public events.

(3) The winning artist will receive a monetary award and a certain number of artist proof prints.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The Washington junior salmon stamp program is created in the department. The purpose of the program is the creation of a stamp that will portray a salmonid species native to Washington and will be used for stamps, prints, and posters that can be sold in a wide range of prices and editions to appeal to citizens and collectors interested in supporting salmon restoration.

(2) Every year the department will announce a competition for the Washington junior salmon stamp program among Washington K-12 students. The top winner will receive a scholarship award.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The salmon stamp selection committee is created. The committee is comprised of five individuals selected by the governor who will judge and select the winning entrant for the Washington salmon stamp program and Washington junior salmon stamp program. The governor will select names from a collection of names forwarded from the department and from the state arts commission in the following categories: Artist, not competing in the salmon stamp program; art collector; fish biologist; printer; and public school teacher.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. All receipts from the salmon stamp program created under sections 2 through 7 of this act must be deposited into the regional fisheries enhancement salmonid recovery account created under RCW 75.50.125. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes specified in RCW 75.50.125. The department shall report biennially to the legislature on the amount of money the salmon stamp program has generated.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department is granted the authority to establish by rule the method for selecting appropriate designs for the Washington salmon stamp program and Washington junior salmon stamp program. The stamp shall be designed and produced in accordance with department rules.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 2 through 7 of this act are each added to chapter 77.12 RCW.