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
Title: An act relating to Puget Sound scientific research.
Brief Description: Regarding Puget Sound scientific research.
Sponsors: Representatives Rolfes, Upthegrove, Williams, Pedersen and Hunt.
Brief History:
Ecology & Parks: 1/22/08, 1/25/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS
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.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
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.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
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.