HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2589

Title:An act relating to clarifying what projects are eligible for funding by the salmon recovery funding board.

Brief Description:Clarifying what projects are eligible for funding by the salmon recovery funding board.

Sponsors:Representatives Buck, Regala, Stensen, Anderson, Sump, G. Chandler, Pennington, Ericksen, Clements, Eickmeyer, Doumit, Alexander, Rockefeller and Dunn.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Meeting Date: January 25, 2000.       

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

Background:The Salmon Recovery Funding Board was created by the Legislature during the 1999 legislative session.  The board is required to consider several factors specified in statute in evaluating, ranking and awarding funds for salmon recovery projects.  The board is also prohibited from funding projects required solely as a mitigation or a condition of a permit.  The statutes do not address whether other types of projects that may be required of a landowner under law, such as installing a fish screen next to a water diversion, are eligible for funding by the board.

Summary of bill:The Salmon Recovery Funding Board may award a grant or loan to a private landowner who has an obligation under federal, state, or local law to fund a salmon recovery project, when there is a clear benefit to salmon recovery.  The board must consider the resources of the private landowner and the potential harm to salmon if the project is delayed in making its determination to fund a project that is a legal obligation.  Project sponsors and lead entities must identify and provide justification for any projects submitted for funding that must be performed under a legal obligation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note:       None requested.

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

Rulemaking Authority: None.