6108-S.E AMH DOUM OLSE 15

ESSB 6108 - H AMDS TO H APP COMM AMD (H-5320.5/98) 1093 FAILED 3-04-98

By Representatives Doumit and Regala

      On page 102, line 10, increase the general fund--state appropriation for fiscal year 1998 by $950,000.

      On page 102, line 12, increase the general fund--state appropriation for fiscal year 1999 by $950,000.

      Adjust the total accordingly.

      On page 108, after line 35, insert A(37) $950,000 of the general fund--state appropriation for fiscal year 1998 and $950,000 of the general fund--state appropriation for fiscal year 1999 are provided solely for hiring or retaining fisheries patrol officers and wildlife agents to provide better enforcement of the fish and wildlife laws with priority given to areas where aquatic species have been listed or are proposed to be listed under the federal endangered species act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.).  The legislature finds that the number of commissioned officers who enforced fish and wildlife laws has decreased since the merger of the department of wildlife and the department of fisheries.  The legislature finds that as a result of the state=s increased population the ratio of population to enforcement officers has increased significantly.  The legislature finds that visible enforcement officers in the field act as an incentive for compliance with laws that protect fish and wildlife.  The legislature therefore finds that additional fish and wildlife enforcement officers located in the field are needed to protect the state=s natural resources.  It is therefore the intent of the legislature to restore the number of enforcement officers to the level prior to the merger of the department of fisheries and the department of wildlife be directing the department to deploy more enforcement officers into the field, authorizing the establishment of a volunteer reserve corps of enforcement officers, and providing funding to retain current and hire additional enforcement officers.

(38) The director of the department of fish and wildlife shall consult with the exclusive bargaining representatives of employees of the department as well as representatives of local communities for the purpose of preparing a reorganization plan that results in the redeployment of staff from central office positions to field enforcement positions.  The department shall also reallocate central office positions that become vacant to field enforcement positions to the extent it is feasible.  The reorganization plan shall be prepared with the assistance of the fish and wildlife commission with the objectives of improving the overall efficiency of the department and providing greater protection to fish and wildlife.  The fish and wildlife commission shall report to the appropriate legislative committees by December 31, 1998, to describe the progress on the development of the redeployment plan.@

EFFECT: Provides $1,900,000 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife to hire or retain enforcement officers.  WDFW shall prepare a reorganization plan that redeploys staff from the central office to the field and report their progress to the legislature by December 31, 1998.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Increases General Fund-State by $1,900,000.