HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HCR 4433

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Brief Description:  Resolving to establish a joint select committee on salmon restoration.

Sponsors:  Representatives Linville, Buck, Regala, Mastin, Conway, Morris and Kessler.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  2/27/98, 2/27/98 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Butler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Anderson; Chandler; Eickmeyer; Hatfield and Pennington.

Staff:  Carole Richmond (786-7114).

Background:  Wild salmon stocks have been depressed for many years in Washington and some listings of stocks have already occurred under the Federal Endangered Species Act.  Further listings are expected.  The Legislature recognizes the need to be involved in the continuing debate on the best way to recover salmon stocks and to retain control of salmon recovery.  Statewide salmon recovery efforts have gained momentum as the widespread listings of salmon as endangered or threatened are becoming reality.

In 1997, the House of Representatives and the Senate convened the Salmon Restoration Task Force, which met through the interim.  The discussions in that forum led to several bills being developed and introduced in the 1998 legislative session.  The Legislature has been working toward development of a statewide salmon recovery effort.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature resolves that a Joint Select Committee on Salmon Restoration be established to review progress on the implementation of a statewide salmon recovery plan and on proposed legislation and appropriations deemed necessary to support salmon recovery efforts.

The joint select committee is comprised of the chairs and ranking minority members of the following committees of the House of Representatives: Agriculture and Ecology, Appropriations, Capital Budget, Government Reform and Land Use, Natural Resources, and Transportation Policy and Budget; and the following chairs and ranking minority members of the following committees of the Senate: Agriculture and Environment, Government Operations, Natural Resources and Parks, Transportation, Ways and Means, and Ways and Means Capital Budget.  The joint select committee is co-chaired by a member from the majority selected by the chairs of the appropriate committees and a member of the minority selected by the ranking minority members of the appropriate committees.

The committee will report its findings to the Legislature annually by December 1.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The Legislature has an interest in the policy, appropriations, and process related to salmon restoration as it moves forward.  By meeting, we can ensure some efficiencies in the process.  We have to continue what we've started.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Kelli Linville, prime sponsor.