BILL REQ. #:  S-1694.3 

READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to natural resources' agencies' law enforcement programs; 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:
     The department of natural resources and department of fish and wildlife shall, not later than December 31, 2005, present a transition plan for consolidating the natural resource investigators of the department of natural resources with the law enforcement program of the department of fish and wildlife to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the senate and house of representatives. The transition plan must include:
     (1) A review of the law enforcement authorities and functions affected by the transfer;
     (2) Procedures for integrating the department of natural resources' natural resource investigators into the department of fish and wildlife's law enforcement program;
     (3) Procedures for integrating affected department of natural resources' employees and full-time equivalent positions into the department of fish and wildlife;
     (4) Methods to ensure that the department of natural resources' employees shall maintain their bargaining unit and existing representation;
     (5) Identification of training necessary to integrate affected department of natural resources' employees into the department of fish and wildlife;
     (6) Recommendations for any funding necessary to carry out this section;
     (7) Recommendations for any additional legislation necessary to carry out this section; and
     (8) Recommendations for ensuring at least the same level of enforcement presence on state trust lands as provided through the department of natural resources' current enforcement program.