HB 2850

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2850

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Ecology & Parks
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review: 2/5/08, 2/7/08[DP].

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Upthegrove, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Dunshee, Kristiansen, O'Brien and Pearson.

Background:

The Puget Sound Scientific Research Account

The Puget Sound Scientific Research Account (Research Account) was created in 2007. Monies in the Research Account may be used only for research programs and projects. The original 2007 legislation assigned the task of selecting research funded by the Research Account to the Leadership Council of the Puget Sound Partnership (Leadership Council).

The Governor issued a partial veto to this legislation, removing the provision that directed the Leadership Council to select the research funded from the Research Account. The veto message also directed the Puget Sound Partnership to develop legislation that harmonies the implementation of the Research Account with the overall Puget Sound recovery efforts.

The Puget Sound Science Panel

The Puget Sound Science Panel (Science Panel) is a nine-member body appointed by the Leadership Council to assist the Puget Sound Partnership with the execution of its duties. The role of the Science Panel includes the identification of environmental indicators and the offering of an ecosystem-wide scientific perspective. The Science Panel also is responsible for identifying gaps in needed science and developing a competitive peer-review based process for funding research and modeling projects.

Summary of Bill:

Expenditures from the Research Account are limited to research programs and projects selected by a process developed and overseen by the Science Panel.

The Science Panel is required to develop and implement an appropriate process for the peer review of monitoring, research, and modeling.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill provides revisions to the 2007 legislation so that the program will be more usable. It puts the review of science in the proper place and confirms that the scientific research process for Puget Sound will be independent and rigorous. The partial veto in 2007 resulted from two separate bills never linking up in the end, and this bill provides that link.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Rolfes, prime sponsor; Rich Doenges, Washington Department of Natural Resources; and Jim Cahill, Puget Sound Partnership.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT & AUDIT REVIEW

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Blake, Chandler, Kretz, Lantz, Liias, Miloscia, Morris, Nelson and Van De Wege.

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Ecology & Parks:

No new changes were recommended.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.