HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2678

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to expediting the implementation of the merger of the departments of fisheries and wildlife into the department of fish and wildlife.

Brief Description:  Expediting the merger of the departments of fisheries and wildlife.

Sponsors:  Representatives Quall, Reams, King, Anderson, Jones, Kessler and Conway; by request of Governor Lowry.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 2, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; L. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Dyer; King and Pruitt.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

Background:  In 1993, the Legislature enacted legislation merging the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Wildlife, effective July 1, 1994.  The merger plan was completed in November of 1993.  According to the Governor's Office, the merger of the two departments is ready to proceed.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Fisheries and the Department of Wildlife are merged effective March 1, 1994.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on March 1, 1994.

Testimony For:  The merger is ready to proceed ahead of schedule.  In order for these new agencies to begin to conduct their business, the merger needs to be legally effective.  Completing the process also relieves employee anxiety.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Fred Hellberg, Governor's Office & Office of Financial Management (pro); and Bev Hermanson, Washington Federation of State Employees (pro).