Title: An act relating to natural resources' agencies' law enforcement programs.

Brief Description: Transferring the department of natural resources' law enforcement program to the department of fish and wildlife.

Sponsors: Senators Doumit and Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/14/05, 2/23/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5818 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Morton, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background: There is an increase in forest product theft, vandalism, and trash dumping on state trust lands. In addition illegal drug makers dump their equipment and contaminated items on state lands. While county law enforcement agencies address this problem on both public and private lands, their time is limited by other duties. The Department of Natural Resources has employed six officers to address the problem on state trust lands. These officers work in cooperation with officers of the counties and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The authority, functions, and personnel of the Department of Natural Resources law enforcement program will be studied by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. The two departments will develop a transition plan to be submitted to the legislature by December 31, 2005. The plan will address costs, levels of enforcement, and training. The employees will maintain their current bargaining unit and representation.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: There will be a study of the possible transfer and the bargaining unit will remain the same.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Better service could be provided and the training could be improved.

Testimony Against: The change would provide less service since salary levels would be higher and fewer people could be employed. The Department of Natural Resource employees want to stay where they are and stay in the same union.

Who Testified: PRO: Bruce Bjork, Department of Fish and Wildlife.

CON: Lynn Maier, Washington Public Employees Association; Bonnie Bunning, Department of Natural Resources.