BILL REQ. #:  S-0246.1 

Read first time 01/10/2005.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to wildlife conservation awards; and adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The wildlife conservationist award program is created in the department. The purpose of the program is to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward conserving Washington's diverse plant and animal populations.
     (2) The program consists of two annual awards as follows:
     (a) The Art Kruckeberg award shall be presented to an individual making outstanding contributions toward conserving the state's plants and plant communities; and
     (b) The Hazel Wolf award shall be presented to an individual making outstanding contributions toward conserving the state's animals and animal communities.
     (3) The recipient of each award is entitled to select a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization to receive a sum of up to twenty-five thousand dollars from the state. The organization must be qualified as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)), and must agree to commit the sum to the organization's wildlife conservation activities in Washington.
     (4) The department must develop guidelines for selecting award recipients and incorporate into the program elements that provide for public recognition of the contributions made by the recipients. The department may create an advisory committee to assist the department in developing the guidelines and in selecting recipients.