SB 5701 - DIGEST

     Declares that the Washington state patrol has the authority and duty to enforce Titles 75 and 77 RCW, and the rules adopted under those titles, relating to the time, place, and manner of taking food fish, shellfish, game fish, game animals, fur-bearing animals, protected wildlife, predatory animals, predatory birds, and game birds.

     Provides that all fish and wildlife enforcement program personnel directly engaged in the enforcement of Titles 75 and 77 RCW shall be transferred to and become employees of the Washington state patrol.

     Directs the chief of the Washington state patrol to provide any additional training needs to fully commission transferred fish and wildlife enforcement officers, detectives, and sergeants as Washington state patrol troopers, detectives, or sergeants.  Enforcement authority of transferred fish and wildlife enforcement personnel shall continue until those personnel become commissioned officers of the Washington state patrol.

     Establishes a fish and wildlife bureau within the Washington state patrol.

     Establishes a fish and wildlife bureau transition committee, which shall be chaired by the chief of the Washington state patrol and shall include one member from each of the following entities:  The department of fish and wildlife; the department of personnel; the Washington state troopers' association; the Washington federation of state employees--fish and wildlife officers; the fish and wildlife sergeants' association; the fish and wildlife captains' association; and the office of financial management.  For the efficient implementation of this act, the committee shall make recommendations to the chief, who shall report to the legislature one year following the effective date of this section, at which time the committee shall be abolished.