BILL REQ. #:  Z-0645.2 

Read first time 03/22/2005.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to funding actions taken in response to the declaration of a statewide drought emergency; adding new sections to 2003 1st sp.s. c 25 (uncodified); adding a new section to 2003 1st sp.s. c 26 (uncodified); making appropriations; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to 2003 1st sp.s. c 25 (uncodified) to read as follows:
     (1) The sum of one million eight hundred thousand dollars is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state general fund for deposit in the state emergency water projects revolving account.
     (2) The sum of one million eight hundred thousand dollars is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state emergency water projects revolving account to the department of ecology for the costs incurred by the department of ecology in taking action pursuant to the declaration of a statewide drought emergency.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to 2003 1st sp.s. c 25 (uncodified) to read as follows:
     The sum of two hundred thousand dollars is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state general fund to the department of natural resources for the costs incurred by the department of natural resources to be able to activate fire fighters to respond to the heightened risk of forest fires pursuant to the declaration of a statewide drought emergency.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to 2003 1st sp.s. c 26 (uncodified) to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The sum of eight million two hundred thousand dollars is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state taxable building construction account for deposit in the state drought preparedness account for project number 05-4-009.
     (b) The sum of eight million two hundred thousand dollars is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state drought preparedness account to the department of ecology for costs incurred in responding to the state drought emergency, for project number 05-4-009.
     (2)(a) The appropriation in subsection (1)(b) of this section is provided solely for response to the statewide drought that was declared pursuant to chapter 43.83B RCW. The department may provide funding or compensation for purchase or lease of water rights and to public bodies as defined in RCW 43.83B.050 in connection with projects and measures designed to alleviate drought conditions which may affect: Public health and safety, drinking water supplies, agricultural activities, or fish and wildlife survival.
     (b) Projects or measures for which funding or compensation will be provided must be connected with a water system, water source, or water body which is receiving, or has been projected to receive, less than seventy-five percent of normal water supply, as the result of natural drought conditions. This reduction in water supply must be such that it is causing, or will cause, undue hardship for the entities or fish or wildlife depending on the water supply. General criteria for guidelines to be established by the department for distribution of funds must include: A balanced and equitable distribution of the funds among the different sectors affected by drought, a funding process that ensures funds are available for drought impacts that arise both early and later during the course of the drought, and preference for projects that leverage other federal and local funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.