Title: An act relating to the disabled hunters and fishers advisory committee.

Brief Description: Making the disabled hunters and fishers advisory committee a permanent entity.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Oke and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks: 3/17/05, 3/24/05 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 10 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Upthegrove, Vice Chair; Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, DeBolt, Dickerson, Hunt, Orcutt and Williams.

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

The 2001 Legislature created a temporary advisory committee to the Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) that generally represents the interests of hunters and fishers with disabilities. These interests include special hunts, modified sporting equipment, access to public lands, and increased hunting and fishing opportunities. The seven members of the advisory committee were appointed by the Commission, and in accordance with the 2001 law, is comprised of individuals with disabilities representing the six Department of Fish and Wildlife administrative units, and one member appointed at large.

The advisory committee is set to terminate on July 1, 2005. The Commission was required to submit a report to the Legislature in 2004 that detailed the effectiveness of the advisory committee, and recommend if the advisory committee should be continued or modified.

In its report to the Legislature, the Commission stated that the advisory committee presented information that led to rule making decisions that benefitted the community of disabled hunters, fishers, and wildlife viewers. The Commission concluded that their recommendation was for the advisory committee to be extended until July 1, 2008.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The termination date for the Fish and Wildlife Commission's Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities is extended from July 1, 2005, until July 1, 2008.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Changes the nature of the advisory committee from a permanent entity to a entity with an expiration date set for 2008 and changes language in the bill from "disabled persons" to "persons with disabilities."

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: It was very enlightening for the Commission to see the passion and determination of the disabled hunting and fishing community. The final Commission report found that the committee's existence was worthwhile. The Commission is comfortable extending the committee for three years, or making it a permanent entity. Participation has so far been dedicated, but the committee's ultimate permanency will be determined by future participation.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Ron Ozment, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.