SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5251

BYSenators Owen, McDonald, DeJarnatt, Conner and West; by request of Department of Game

Changing the name of the department of game to the department of wildlife.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 10, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Vice Chairman; Conner, Craswell, McDonald, Metcalf.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  March 10, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 19, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Game and the Washington State Game Commission was created in 1932.  At that time, the emphasis of both the Commission and the Department was primarily on hunting birds and animals and on fishing.  The responsibilities of the Department to manage all varieties of wildlife has expanded over the years.  Designating the Commission and the Department as a Wildlife Commission and Wildlife Department would reflect the interests and responsibilities as they have changed.

SUMMARY:

The name of the Department of Game, the Game Commission, the Director of Game, the game fund and the Game Reserves is changed to Wildlife Commission and the Department of Wildlife.  Whenever the word game is used on any official sign, stationery, equipment or other property of the Department of Game in existence on the effective date of the act, the meaning shall be wildlife instead of game.  Whenever official signs, stationery or other property are replaced, they shall be replaced with property bearing the term wildlife.

All references to the Department of Game, the Game Commission, the Director of Game, the game fund and Game Reserves are changed to mean the Department of Wildlife, the Wildlife Commission, the Director of Wildlife, the wildlife fund and the Wildlife Reserves.

The name change shall not be construed as diminishing the commitment of the Department to hunting and sports fishing and the prime responsibility of the Department shall continue to be to foster, support, enhance, and responsibly manage hunting and sports fishing.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Rich Poelker, Department of Game; Bert Simpson, Southwestern Washington Sports Council