BILL REQ. #:  S-0988.2 

Read first time 02/08/2005.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     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:
     (1) The authorities, functions, and personnel of the department of natural resources' law enforcement program are transferred to the department of fish and wildlife's law enforcement program July 1, 2006.
     (2) The department of natural resources and department of fish and wildlife shall coordinate the transfer set forth in subsection (1) of this section. The department of natural resources and department of fish and wildlife shall, not later than December 31, 2005, present a transition plan to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the senate and house of representatives. The transition plan must include:
     (a) A review of the law enforcement authorities and functions affected by the transfer;
     (b) Procedures for integrating the department of natural resources' law enforcement program into the department of fish and wildlife's law enforcement program;
     (c) Procedures for integrating affected department of natural resources' employees and full-time equivalent positions into the department of fish and wildlife;
     (d) Identification of training necessary to integrate affected department of natural resources' employees into the department of fish and wildlife;
     (e) Recommendations for any funding necessary to carry out this section; and
     (f) Recommendations for any additional legislation necessary to carry out this section.