BILL REQ. #:  S-2467.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/28/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to studying the structure of the department of fish and wildlife; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) A legislative task force on the structure of the department of fish and wildlife is established, with members as provided in this section.
     (i) The two largest caucuses of the senate shall each appoint one member.
     (ii) The two largest caucuses of the house of representatives shall each appoint one member.
     (iii) The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives jointly shall appoint nine members representing the timber industry, the farming community, the environmental community, the ranching community, the shellfish community, the sport fishing community, the commercial fishing community, the hunting community, and a citizen with no affiliation with any of these or related groups.
     (iv) The governor shall appoint two members representing the department of fish and wildlife as nonvoting members. The governor shall also appoint one member to represent the governor's office as a nonvoting member.
     (b) The task force shall choose its chair from among its legislative membership. The governor, or the governor's representative, shall convene the initial meeting of the task force.
     (2) The task force's review and recommendations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
     (a) The effectiveness and accountability of the current fish and wildlife commission model;
     (b) Whether or not the fish and wildlife commission should retain the power to hire and terminate the director;
     (c) Whether or not the fish and wildlife commissioner appointment process is effective and whether or not commissioners should be limited to no more than two consecutive terms in office;
     (d) Whether or not a citizens' ombuds function should be added to the fish and wildlife commission model and if so, what would the role of the ombuds be;
     (e) Whether or not it is necessary to restructure the policy authority of the fish and wildlife commission;
     (f) Possible alternative models for fish and wildlife commission structures;
     (g) Whether or not the fish and wildlife commission's role should be limited to that of an advisory body;
     (h) Possible alternatives for appointment and confirmation of fish and wildlife commission members;
     (i) Whether or not the fish and wildlife commission's effectiveness and accountability would be improved with the addition of either policy staff or fiscal staff, or both;
     (j) Whether or not the role of regulating recreational fishing and hunting policy and season setting should be separated from commercial activities, regulatory role/functions, land management, and other departmental administrative functions;
     (k) The effectiveness and responsiveness to the public, the office of the governor, and the legislature of the fish and wildlife commission and department of fish and wildlife management structure; and
     (l) Whether or not the existing geographic, consultation, and expertise mandates for fish and wildlife commission appointments meet the needs of the state or whether or not the fish and wildlife commission should be restructured.
     (3) Staff support for the task force shall be provided by the house office of program research and senate committee services.
     (4) Legislative members of the task force must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (5) The expenses of the task force shall be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives. Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house executive rules committee, or their successor committees.
     (6) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor, the fish and wildlife commission, the director of fish and wildlife, and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007. Final recommendations shall be officially adopted according to rules agreed to by a majority of the legislators or the task force.
     (7) This section expires June 30, 2008.