HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1413

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.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/1/11, 2/8/11 [DP];

General Government Appropriations & Oversight: 2/15/11, 2/16/11 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/28/11, 97-0.

Passed Senate: 4/11/11, 46-0.

Passed Legislature.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Stanford, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Wilcox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Dunshee, Hinkle, Kretz, Lytton, Orcutt, Pettigrew, Rolfes and Van De Wege.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; McCune, Ranking Minority Member; Taylor, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Blake, Fitzgibbon, Ladenburg, Moscoso, Pedersen, Van De Wege and Wilcox.

Background:

Invasive Species Council.

The Invasive Species Council (Council) provides policy level direction, planning, and coordination for combating harmful invasive species throughout the state and preventing the introduction of other invasive species. The Council is a joint effort between local, tribal, state, and federal governments, as well as the private sector and nongovernmental interests. By statute, the purpose of the Council is to foster cooperation, communication, and coordinated approaches that support local, state, and regional initiatives for the prevention and control of invasive species. The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) provides administrative support for the Council. The Council exists until December 31, 2011.

Invasive Species Council Account.

Funding for the Council is provided by member agencies, federal grants, and the Vessel Response Account. Expenditures from the Invasive Species Council Account (Account) may be used only to carry out the purposes of the Council. The Account expires on December 31, 2011.

Summary of Bill:

Invasive Species Council.

The expiration date of the Council is changed to June 30, 2017.

Invasive Species Council Account.

The expiration date of the Account is changed to June 30, 2017.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Agriculture & Natural Resources):

(In support) The bill is legislation requested by the RCO. There is a large need for statewide coordination in dealing with invasive species. The Council has worked diligently to craft a strategic plan and the bill will allow the Council to continue its work. No General Fund appropriation is required to keep the Council active. Invasive species can do an incredible amount of damage, and only statewide coordination will prevent new invasive species from coming into this state. Invasive species are already a problem in Puget Sound. The Council is an action-oriented group designed to enhance state protection and response. The Council is a great example of natural resources coordination and collaboration.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (General Government Appropriations & Oversight):

(In support) This bill extends the Council for an additional five years. Invasive species can have a huge economic and environmental impact. If zebra mussels take hold in the Columbia River, they may impact the functionality of dams and estimates of the potential cost are as high as $250 million to $300 million per year for eradication efforts. The Council is an extremely cost effective risk management tool for the state. The Council brings together state agencies, tribes, and local governments in order to address the prevention and response to invasive species. There will be no funding from the General Fund to support the Council; funding will come from the Vessel Response Account and federal grants.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (Agriculture & Natural Resources): Representative Blake, prime sponsor; Kaleen Cottingham and Wendy Brown, Recreation and Conservation Office; Chris Christopher, Washington State Department of Transportation; Dick Wallace, Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Kevin Anderson, Puget Sound Partnership; and Bill Robinson.