SB 5087-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Finds that there is a critical need to provide for two regional elective officers, an eastern Washington water commissioner and a western Washington water commissioner, to administer Washington's water resource laws.

Finds that there is a growing necessity to provide for the increasing needs of the state and its citizens for water for industrial, agricultural, residential, social, economic, recreational, environmental, and other needs and to plan, coordinate, restore, and regulate the use of our water resources.

Declares that the offices of eastern Washington water commissioner and western Washington water commissioner created by this act must initially be funded entirely from appropriations made to the department of ecology for carrying out the powers, functions, and duties that are transferred to the commissioners pursuant to this act.

Declares that all powers, duties, and functions of the department of ecology pertaining to those powers and duties set out in this act are transferred to the commissions. All references to the director or the department of ecology in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the commissions when referring to the functions transferred in this act.