FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1997

C 99 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding Puget Sound scientific research.

Sponsors: Representatives Finn, Rolfes, Smith, Dunshee, Upthegrove, Kretz, Chase, Dickerson, Liias, Kagi, Nelson, Kessler, Hunt and Blake; by request of Puget Sound Partnership.

House Committee on Ecology & Parks

Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy

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 harmonizes 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 is also responsible for identifying gaps in needed science and developing a competitive peer-review based process for funding research and modeling projects.

Summary:

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.

Votes on Final Passage: