HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2170

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Agriculture & Ecology

Title:  An act relating to membership of the Puget Sound council.

Brief Description:  Increasing membership of the Puget Sound council.

Sponsors:  Representatives G. Chandler and Linville.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Ecology:  3/2/99 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Relating to membership of the Puget Sound Council.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives G. Chandler, Republican Co-Chair; Linville, Democratic Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic Vice Chair; Koster, Republican Vice Chair; Anderson; B. Chandler; Delvin; Fortunato; Grant; Reardon; Schoesler; Stensen; Sump and Wood.

Staff:  Carole Richmond (786-7114).

Background:

In 1996, state legislation transferred the duties of  the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority to the Puget Sound Action Team.  The action team consists of the executives of 10 state agencies, and one member each to represent cities and counties.  The action team is responsible for several functions related to development of  a biennial work plan and budget for protecting and restoring Puget Sound.

The initial Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan was adopted in 1986 and revised in 1989, 1991, and 1994.  The 1996 legislation requires the action team to meet the following objectives in developing the biennial work plan and budget:

Cuse of the plan elements of the 1994 Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan, as amended, to protect and restore Puget Sound;

Cconsideration of the problems and priorities identified in local plans; and

Ccoordination of the work plan activities with other relevant activities, including local watershed plans and volunteer watershed restoration activities.

The Puget Sound Council is created.  The council consists of nine members.  Seven of the nine are appointed by the Governor and represent agriculture, business, environment, tribes, the shellfish industry, cities, and counties.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate each appoint one member.  The council is responsible for making recommendations to the action team on work plan contents, plan amendments, and overall coordination.

Summary of Bill:

The Puget Sound Council is increased from nine to 11 members.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate each appoint two additional members, one from each of the major caucuses in each house of the legislature.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The Puget Sound Council has been an effective part of the work done by the action team.  Legislative input is important.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Bill Dewey, Pacific Coast Oyster Growers; and Tom Cowan, Puget Sound Action Team.