Title: An act relating to creating the office of Washington state climatologist.

Brief Description: Creating the office of Washington state climatologist.

Sponsors: Senators Poulsen, Morton, Kline and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Water, Energy & Telecommunications: 2/23/07, 2/27/07 [DP, DNP].

Ways & Means: 3/05/07.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, ENERGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Poulsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Fraser, Marr, Morton, Oemig, and Pridemore.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Honeyford, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin and Holmquist.

Staff: William Bridges (786-7424)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff: Kirstan Arestad (786-7708)

Background: According to the Department of Ecology (DOE), Washington had a federally funded state climatologist until the funding stopped in 1971. Since then, the position has either been vacant or filled by volunteers. In 1993, the current volunteer climatologist restarted the office with seed money from DOE.

Summary of Bill: Creating the Office of Washington State Climatologist: The Director of the Office of Washington State Climatologist must be appointed jointly by the presidents of Washington State University and the University of Washington. The State Climatologist's duties include serving as an expert source of climate and weather information for state and local decision makers and representing the state in all climatological and meteorological matters.

The Governor's proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2007-09 appropriates $168,000 for the permanent establishment of this office.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.

Persons Testifying: No one.