FINAL BILL REPORT

2SSB 6310

                              C 58 L 90

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Metcalf, Owen, DeJarnatt, McMullen, Smith, Amondson, Anderson, Warnke, Thorsness, von Reichbauer and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Fisheries)

Providing a funding mechanism for regional fisheries enhancement groups.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Regional fisheries enhancement groups were authorized during the 1989 legislative session.  A majority of the legislation was vetoed by the Governor, and this left the program without a funding mechanism and with no specified procedures for group organization, or oversight by the Department of Fisheries.

SUMMARY:

Regional fisheries enhancement groups are encouraged to organize and to incorporate.  Regional groups are funded through a dedicated account.  Funds for the account are collected through a $1 surcharge on recreational salmon licenses and a $100 surcharge on commercial and charter boat licenses.

A Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Advisory Board is created to make recommendations on enhancement proposals from the regional groups.  The board consists of two commercial representatives, two recreational representatives, three at-large positions, and two ex officio members representing Indian tribes.

The administrative fee for the department is set at 20 percent of the account revenue.  The license surcharges take effect January 1, 1991.

The department and the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Advisory Board shall report to the Legislature on a biennial basis.  The department shall study ways to provide a list of all commercial and recreational licensees to the regional groups for purposes of increasing participation in regional group efforts.  The funding in the regional group account shall not serve as replacement funding for projects which exist currently.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   35    8

     House 97  0 (House amended)

     Senate   38    5 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990