VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1389-S.E

                        May 20, 1991

To the Honorable, the House

  of Representatives of the

  State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 5, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1389 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to aquatic plants."

      This bill assesses an annual $3.00 surcharge on boat trailers in order to fund a program to address the serious environmental damage and loss of recreational opportunities caused by freshwater aquatic weeds.  These problem weeds are difficult to check because these plants are usually non-native and lack any natural biological controls.  Boats and trailers have been identified as a source of the spread of such problem weeds and therefore the funding mechanism contained in this bill is appropriately user-fee based.

      While the legislature provided the funding mechanism, it neglected to provide an appropriation for the expenditure of these funds.  I believe that establishing and funding of the freshwater aquatic weeds account is an important first step in addressing the damage caused by these weeds and will work with the legislature to provide the authority necessary to begin program operations.  For this reason, I have vetoed section 5, the "null and void" clause, of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1389.

      With the exception of section 5, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1389 is approved.

                        Respectfully submitted,

                        Booth Gardner

                        Governor