SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5664

BYSenators Owen, Bluechel, Bottiger, McDonald and Talmadge; by request of Office of the Governor

Establishing the department of wildlife.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 25, 1987; March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5664 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, McDonald, Peterson, Stratton.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Craswell, Metcalf, Patterson, Rasmussen.

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                  March 5, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 5, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Game is currently administered by a Director who is appointed by the Game Commission.  The Commission is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The Governor desires greater control over the selection of the Director of Game.  The Director and Commission desire to receive monies from the general fund to supplement the user fees which currently fund the Department.

SUMMARY:

The Governor is given the authority to appoint the Director of the Department from a list of five candidates submitted by the Commission.  The name of the Department of Game is changed to the Department of Wildlife.  The Director shall promulgate rules of the Department, subject to veto by five members of the Commission.

An unspecified amount is appropriated to the Department from the state general fund.

Appropriation:    The amount is unspecified.

Fiscal Note:      requested

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department is appropriated $14 million form the general fund, only $3 million of which may be spent before February 1, 1988.  The Commission's role in providing hunting and fishing recreational opportunity is strengthened.  The cost of hunting, fishing and combination hunting and fishing licenses is adjusted downward over the next three bienniums.  The Department shall employ at least 90 field wildlife enforcement agents throughout the state.  The emergency clause is removed.

The Governor shall select the director from a list of three candidates submitted by the Commission.  The Governor may ask for more candidate names from the Commission.  The Commission and director are each given specific responsibilities in managing the Department.

Senate Committee - Testified: John Kelly, Steelhead Trout Club of Washington; Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters; Pam Crocker-Davis, National Audubon Society; Dave McCraney, Governor Gardner's staff; Dr. James Walton, Chairman, Game Commission; Terry Karro, member, Game Commission; John McGlenn, Washington's Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Committee; Bob Ace, NRA, Hunters Committee; Jan Carpenter, Safari Club; George Garland, SPAWN; Jerry Pavletich, Trout Unlimited