HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1755

Title:An act relating to fish and wildlife equipment.

Brief Description: Creating the fish and wildlife equipment fund.

Sponsors: Representatives Buck, Regala, Clements, Doumit and Haigh; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Meeting Date:February 17, 1999

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Bill Lynch, Counsel (786-7092)

Background: A number of different revolving funds exist in state government and local government to accomplish certain tasks.  These funds may be appropriated or non-appropriated.  For example, the Department of Natural Resources is authorized to expend moneys without appropriation from the natural resources equipment fund for the purchase of equipment, machinery, and supplies for the department, and for the repair and maintenance of equipment , machinery and supplies.  All expenditures from the fund must be reimbursed by the department.  All equipment, machinery, and supplies of the department are deemed to have been purchased by the natural resources equipment fund for reimbursement purposes.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife does not have similar authority to utilize a non-appropriated revolving fund for equipment.

Summary of Bill: The fish and wildlife equipment fund is created in the custody of the State Treasurer as a non-appropriated revolving fund for use by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Expenditures from the fish and wildlife equipment fund may be made for salaries, wages, and operations required for purchasing, repairing, replacing, and operating equipment used for administration, maintenance, and construction of fish and wildlife lands and facilities, administration and maintenance of lands under department control, administration, maintenance, and construction of projects that will enhance fish and wildlife, and administration, biological assessment, and enforcement necessary to carry out the fish and wildlife laws.  Projects that will enhance fish and wildlife include volunteer cooperative projects, regional fisheries enhancement group projects, and salmon recovery projects.

All existing and after-acquired equipment of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is deemed to have been purchased from the fish and wildlife equipment fund.  Equipment purchased with general fund appropriations may be transferred into the fish and wildlife equipment fund with or without charging the fish and wildlife equipment fund.

Equipment may be rented to any federal, state, county, city, or governmental agency, volunteer cooperatives, regional fisheries enhancement groups, and entities engaged in salmon recovery.  The Department of Fish and Wildlife may furnish operators for the equipment.  The fish and wildlife equipment fund must be credited with a reasonable rental for the equipment and a reasonable charge for operating the equipment.  The terms and charges for the rentals and operating charges are solely within the discretion of the Department

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:Not requested.

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