Brief Description: Preventing and controlling aquatic invasive species and algae.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Oke, Jacobsen, Spanel, Doumit, Kline, Rockefeller and Rasmussen).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks
House Committee on Appropriations

Background: Invasive species pose a serious threat to Washington State. This threat has increased with improvements in travel technology and increased travel in recent years. Once nonnative species become established in a new environment, the conditions that kept their population in check in their native environment may be missing.

Currently, an applicant for a vessel registration must pay a registration fee of $10.50 per year, plus an excise tax. In addition, $2 must be collected annually from every vessel registration application for deposit in the derelict vessel removal account.

Summary: In addition to the $10.50 vessel registration fee, the excise tax, and $2 for derelict vessel removal, an additional $3 must be collected from every vessel registration application. This $3 must be distributed as follows: $1.50 for aquatic invasive species prevention; $1 for freshwater aquatic algae control; and $.50 for aquatic invasive species enforcement.

To carry out the purposes of this bill, three accounts are created. The aquatic invasive species account is created to develop an aquatic invasive species prevention program for recreational watercraft within the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Funds from this account must be used for such purposes as inspecting watercraft and educating law enforcement officers on invasive species laws. The freshwater aquatic algae control account is created to develop a freshwater aquatic algae program. Funds from this account must be used for such purposes as grants to tribes and local governments, with a focus on lakes in which harmful algae blooms have occurred within the past three years, and technical assistance regarding invasive species control. The aquatic invasive species enforcement account is created to fund the creation of an aquatic invasive species enforcement program within the Washington State Patrol. Funds from this account must be used for such purposes as the inspection of recreational watercraft and the establishment of invasive species check stations in areas of high boating activity.

The collection of the additional $3 from vessel registration applications for aquatic invasive species and algae programs expires June 30, 2012.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   3
House      91   5   (House amended)
Senate      44   2   (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005
         August 1, 2005 (Section 2)