SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6450

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

    Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, February 2, 2000

Title:  An act relating to the wildlife publications account.

Brief Description:  Creating the wildlife publications account.

Sponsors:  Senator Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  1/26/2000, 2/2/2000 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6450 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Oke, Rossi, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife receives money from the sale of interpretive, recreational, historical and informational literature and materials.  In addition, advertisements in regulation pamphlets and enrollment in department-sponsored educational training events also generate moneys.  All of these moneys are deposited in the wildlife account and may be utilized for a wide variety of department functions.

If the revenue from these activities could be utilized to further the production of informational materials, then the information and education functions would be enhanced.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Moneys received from the sale of interpretive, recreational, historical, educational and informational literature are placed in the wildlife fund.  Advertisement revenue from regulation pamphlets and enrollment fees from department-sponsored educational training events are also placed in the wildlife fund.  The director may enter joint ventures with other agencies and organizations to generate revenue.

Moneys generated from the sale of informational materials may be used for developing, production, reprinting and distribution of informational and educational materials; producing regulation booklets; and training expenses.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The wildlife publication account is not created.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 18, 2000.

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

Testimony For:  Wildlife publications are in high demand from the public and the department should produce more educational and informational materials.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Ron Shultz, National Audubon Society; Rocky Beach, WDFW; Barbara Fandrich, Grays Harbor Audubon; Katrina Weihs, National Audubon Society, Tahoma Chapter.