Title: An act relating to the advisory committee to the fish and wildlife commission composed of disabled individuals.

Brief Description: Extending the term of the disabled hunter and fishers advisory committee.

Sponsors: Representatives Kretz, Blake, Kristiansen, Sump, B. Sullivan, Holmquist, Buri, Serben, Pearson, Hasegawa, McCune, Grant, P. Sullivan, Campbell, Ahern and Haigh.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/03/05, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 3/17/05, 3/21/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Morton, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background: The 2001 Legislature created a temporary advisory committee to the Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) that generally represents the interests of disabled hunters and fishers. These interests include special hunts, sporting equipment modifications, access to public lands, and increased hunting and fishing opportunities. The seven members of the advisory committee were appointed by the commission and are comprised of disabled individuals 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 recommended 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 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.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The committee has worked well and the Fish and Wildlife Commission has used the information developed by the committee to improve policy relating to disabled hunting and fishing.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Ron Ozment, Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission; Ed Owens, Hunters Heritage Council.