SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1395
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:
Natural Resources & Marine Waters, March 17, 2011
Title: An act relating to eliminating expiration dates for the derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee.
Brief Description: Eliminating expiration dates for the derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee.
Sponsors: Representatives Dunshee, Chandler, Blake, Van De Wege, Tharinger, Rolfes, Hinkle, Fitzgibbon, Dickerson, Stanford and Reykdal; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Ecology.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/11, 90-7.
Committee Activity: Natural Resources & Marine Waters: 3/10/11, 3/17/11 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & MARINE WATERS |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Ranker, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Fraser, Hargrove and Swecker.
Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)
Background: Vessel Registration. Generally, a person must annually register a vessel in order to own or operate that vessel in state waters. The registration fee is $10.50 which is deposited in the state General Fund.
Additional Fee for Invasive Species Programs. In addition to the registration fee, a vessel owner must pay an additional fee for purposes of funding both derelict vessel removal and invasive species programs. The portion of the additional fee that funds invasive species programs is $3.00 and is distributed as follows:
$1.50 for aquatic invasive species prevention work by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), which may be used for purposes including to inspect watercraft, educate law enforcement on enforcing aquatic invasive species laws, evaluate specific risks, and implement an early detection and rapid response plan;
$1.00 for freshwater aquatic algae control work by the Department of Ecology, which may be distributed as grants for management of excessive freshwater algae and to provide technical assistance about freshwater algae control; and
$.50 for aquatic invasive species enforcement, which may be used by the DFW and Washington State Patrol to facilitate the inspection of watercraft for the presence of aquatic invasive species.
The authority to collect the $3.00 portion of the additional fee that funds these invasive species programs expires on June 30, 2012.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): Additional Fee for Invasive Species Programs. The $3.00 portion of the additional fee on vessel registrations that funds specified invasive species programs is made permanent.
Ten cents of the $3.00 portion of the fee that funds invasive species programs is shifted from aquatic algae control to aquatic invasive species enforcement. The portion dedicated for aquatic algae control would change from $1.00 to $0.90 per $3.00 fee paid. The portion dedicated for aquatic invasive species enforcement would change from $0.50 to $0.60 per $3.00 fee paid.
Department of Ecology's Freshwater Algae Control Program. The scope of the Department of Ecology's aquatic algae control account and program is broadened from addressing excessive freshwater algae to addressing both freshwater and saltwater algae issues. Funds in the aquatic algae control account may be used to establish contingency funds to address emergent issues.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY NATURAL RESOURCES & MARINE WATERS COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): The recommended amendment:
Expands the purposes of the aquatic algae control program and account to include saltwater as well as freshwater algae issues;
Allows the establishment of contingency funds within the aquatic algae control account for emergent aquatic algae issues; and
Shifts $0.10 of the $3.00 portion of the additional fee that funds invasive species programs from aquatic algae control to aquatic invasive species enforcement.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
[OFM requested ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The current funding source has been very valuable for DFW's invasive species prevention efforts, rapid response planning, and vessel inspection work. The Department of Ecology does toxicity testing and provides grants for algae control. The Department of Ecology and stakeholders have developed a suggested amendment to allow development of a small contingency fund to provide funding for emergent marine algae issues.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Doug Levy, City of Federal Way; Joe Daniels, WA Lakes Protection Assn.; Allen Pleus, DFW; Kathy Hamel, Department of Ecology.