Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
ESB 5097
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 Description: Clarifying procedures for appointment to the Chehalis board created by chapter 194, Laws of 2016.
Sponsors: Senators Braun and Takko; by request of Department of Ecology.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/15/17
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:
The Chehalis Board (Board) was created in 2016 and is responsible for the oversight of a long-term strategy to reduce flood damages and restore aquatic species habitat in the Chehalis Basin. The strategy must include a detailed set of actions, an implementation schedule, and quantified measures to evaluate success.
The Board consists of seven voting members. Four voting members are appointed by the Governor and are subject to Senate confirmation, including one member each from the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Quinault Indian Nation. The Chehalis Basin Flood Authority (Flood Authority) appoints three members. The Governor must seek board appointees that provide the expertise necessary to provide oversight of the Chehalis Basin strategy. The Governor must appoint one of the Flood Authority appointees to serve as chair. Board members may have neither a financial nor a regulatory interest in the actions of the Board.
The following officials serve as ex officio members of the Board:
Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife;
Executive Director of the Conservation Commission;
Secretary of the Department of Transportation;
Director of the Department of Ecology; and
Commissioner of Public Lands.
Each voting member of the Board is appointed for a four-year term, except that two members must initially be appointed for two years, and three members must initially be appointed for three years.
Summary of Bill:
The Governor must invite the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Quinault Indian Nation to each designate one voting member of the Board, not subject to Senate confirmation, to serve a four-year term.
Initially, the following members must be appointed for a two-year term:
one member appointed by the Governor; and
one member appointed by the Flood Authority.
Initially, the following members must be appointed for a three-year term:
one member appointed by the Governor; and
two members appointed by the Flood Authority.
Each member appointed thereafter must be appointed for a four-year term.
The requirement to seek members who possess applicable knowledge and expertise to provide oversight of the Chehalis Basin strategy applies to all appointing authorities, not limited to the Governor. Members of the Board may not have a financial interest in the actions of the Board, but may have a regulatory interest.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.