2SHB 1656

SENATE BILL REPORT
2SHB 1656

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 Senate Committee On:
Water, Energy & Telecommunications, March 28, 2007
Ways & Means, April 2, 2007

Title: An act relating to establishing a Puget Sound scientific research account.

Brief Description: Establishing the Puget Sound scientific research account.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Upthegrove, B. Sullivan, Appleton, Chase, Santos, Dickerson and Sells).

Committee Activity: Water, Energy & Telecommunications: 3/23/07, 3/28/07 [DPA].

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Poulsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Fraser, Holmquist, Marr, Morton, Oemig, Pridemore and Regala.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended by Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.

Background: To facilitate the Hood Canal environmental recovery efforts, 2005 legislation established Aquatic Rehabilitation Zone One (ARZ-1), which includes watersheds draining into Hood Canal.

The Puget Sound Action Team (PSAT) is a partnership of state agencies and tribal and local governments charged with developing and coordinating conservation programs to protect and restore Puget Sound. PSAT staff guide implementation of the Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan and work with tribal and local governments, community groups, citizens and businesses, and state and federal agencies to develop and carry out two-year work plans.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill: A scientific research account is created to fund research programs and projects in Puget Sound and ARZ-1. PSAT or its successor agency will identify scientific research gaps in environmental protection and restoration of Puget Sound and ARZ-1, formulate a plan to narrow those gaps, and solicit, prioritize, and fund programs and projects. Results will be reviewed under a peer review process.

PSAT or its successor agency is subject to open public meetings requirements.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Water, Energy & Telecommunications): The amendment integrates the bill with pending legislation creating the Puget Sound Partnership (HB 1374/SB 5372). The Puget Sound Leadership Council created pursuant to that pending legislation must work with the science panel also created in that legislation to: identify gaps in scientific research related to restoring Puget Sound, including ARZ-1; develop a competitive process for soliciting research; solicit and prioritize research in accord with science panel recommendations; select and fund priority programs; and develop and implement a peer review process to review results. The amendment deletes a provision explicitly making PSAT or its successor agency subject to open public meetings requirements.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Water, Energy & Telecommunications): PRO: This legislation facilitates research necessary to restore Puget Sound.

Persons Testifying (Water, Energy & Telecommunications): PRO: Representative Rolfes, prime sponsor.