SENATE BILL REPORT

E2SHB 758

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Sutherland, Belcher, McMullen and P. King; by request of  Governor Gardner)

Establishing the department of wildlife.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Rereferred House Committee on State Government

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 25, 1987; March 30, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                March 31, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):April 21, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended.

     Signed by Senators Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Deccio, Fleming, Kreidler, Owen, Rinehart, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Charles Langen (786-7715)

                April 21, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, APRIL 21, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Game and the Game Commission were established by passage of Initiative 62 in 1932.  By the same initiative, the Department of Fish and Game was abolished, and duties of the Fisheries Board were assumed by the Director of Fisheries.  The Game Commission assumed the responsibility for setting hunting/fishing seasons, limits, and fees from 39 county organizations.

In 1945 the Legislature abolished the Game Commission and gave the Governor the authority to appoint the Director of the Department of Game.  The voters, by a margin of 7 to 1, overturned this legislation through a referendum that same year.

The Game Commission consists of six members, three from each side of the Cascades.  Two are appointed in each odd-numbered year.  Each member serves for six years.  To qualify, members must have a knowledge of the habits and distributions of wildlife.  The Commission meets at least four times per year to set rules regarding the time, place, manner, and quantity of game animals that may be taken.  It directs the management of the agency and establishes rules protecting animals.  The members do not receive a salary, but may earn per diem of $100 per day.

The Director serves at the pleasure of the Commission and performs the duties prescribed by law and the Commission.  The Director is responsible for the administration and operation of the Department.

SUMMARY:

The name of the Game Department is changed to the Department of Wildlife and the Game Commission becomes the Wildlife Commission. The Governor appoints the Director of Wildlife after consulting with the Commission regarding the skills, qualifications, and experience necessary for the job and is advised by the Commission in selecting a Director.  New responsibilities of the Commission include establishing basic goals and objectives for the Department, preparing an analysis of Washington's wildlife and wildlife recreational needs, emphasizing innovative management methods, and finding alternative revenue sources.  The Commission continues to establish the time, place, manner, and species of animals for which hunting or fishing is permitted.

The Director, acting under guidance of the Commission, may regulate deleterious exotic wildlife, establish special hunts, acquire and dispose of real property, regulate hunting or fishing contests, and license and regulate game farms.  The Director may reinstate hunting licenses revoked by agency rule or court order.

The income received by the state from the prosecution of hunting and fishing violations as the reimbursement value of illegally taken wildlife increases from a maximum of $1,000 to $15,000.  In addition, the court shall award from 5 to 10 percent of the reimbursement value to the newly created state wildlife conservation reward fund.  Money from the fund will be used by the Director to reward people reporting violations of wildlife laws.

A Washington trophy hunt is established.  The Commission may permit organizations to auction a permit, issued by the Department, to hunt a post mature male trophy-quality animal.  Proceeds from the auction will raise funds for the Department and the sponsoring organization.

When the Department prepares to lease the right to explore for oil or gas, the leases will be offered by the Department of Natural Resources.  The Game Department shall condition the leases to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat.  Proceeds from the leases will go the the wildlife fund.

No Department official may retaliate against another Department employee for the employee's support of or opposition to HB 758 or its successors.

Appropriation:  $8 million is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Wildlife.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

A total of $8 million is appropriated to the Department of Wildlife from the state general fund, $3.5 million of which may be spent without regard to a comprehensive spending plan to be submitted by December 31, 1987 to the Legislature.  If the Legislature rejects the spending plan the balance of $4.5 million reverts to the general fund.  The comprehensive spending plan shall include these elements:  expenditures for all programs; manpower levels; examination of reduction of hunting and fishing license fees; a plan to improve landowner relations; wildlife damage compensation; employee productivity assessment; and plans to improve land management.

A minimum of 85 field wildlife enforcement agents are to be employed by the Department, with at least one agent to be stationed in each county.

The management emphasis that the Department places on recreational hunting and fishing opportunities is not to be reduced.  The fees for hunting and fishing licenses, tags, stamps, and permits are not to be increased.

The Commission shall study the need to provide rewards for information on wildlife poachers.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

The Governor is solely responsible in appointing the Director.  The limitation on increasing licenses, etc. is removed.  Civil penalties for certain poaching activities are increased.  An emergency clause is added.

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   NATURAL RESOURCES:  Representative Dean Sutherland, original sponsor; Dave McCraney, Office of the Governor; Dr. James Walton, chairman, Washington State Game Commission; John McGlenn, chairman, Wildlife Tomorrow; John Kelly, Steelhead Trout Club of Washington; Representative Gary Bumgarner, Safari Club; Ed Brezina, Pierce County Sportsmen's Council; John Callahan, Washington Council of Federation of Fly Fishers; Carol Lewis, Washington State Sportsmen's Council; Greg Hanon, Columbia Basin Oil and Gas Company; Rick Cole, Columbia Basin Oil and Gas Company; Chuck Stewart, Washington Fly Fishing Club; Johnny Walker, Wildlife Committee of Washington

Senate Committee - Testified:   WAYS & MEANS: No one