BILL REQ. #:  S-1575.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/19/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to imposing a surcharge on the personal use shellfish license fee to fund the Olympic region harmful algal bloom program; adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that natural, commonly occurring harmful algal blooms on the Washington coast cause the temporary contamination of shellfish and require the temporary cessation of recreational and commercial shellfishing activities. The legislature further finds it is in the interest of state agencies, coastal native tribes, marine resource-based businesses, and local communities to develop and implement a monitoring program to predict the occurrence of these harmful algal blooms.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 77.32 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to the fees authorized in this chapter, the department shall include a surcharge to fund monitoring by the Olympic region harmful algal bloom program of the Olympic natural resources center at the University of Washington. A surcharge of one dollar applies to the resident and nonresident shellfish and seaweed licenses as authorized by RCW 77.32.520(2) (a) and (b). Amounts collected from this surcharge shall be deposited in the general fund--local account managed by the University of Washington.
     The University of Washington shall transfer from the general fund--local account to the general fund amounts collected from the surcharge that exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars per year.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The surcharge imposed in this act shall be implemented in the department of fish and wildlife's license fee structure for the license year beginning April 1, 2004.