FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5961

C 253 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions concerning fisheries and wildlife issues.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Oke; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines

House Committee on Natural Resources

Background:  In 1994 the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Game were merged into the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Laws relating to food fish were generally contained in Title 75 RCW.  Those relating to game and game fish were contained in Title 77 RCW.  In 2000, the two titles were merged into Title 77. 

As a result of the merger of the two titles, certain errors, oversights, and redundancies were created in the new Title 77.  Many of the provisions in the current Title 77 evolved from separate regulatory systems.  Although the requirements of the various statutes were similar, they were stated in different ways.  Some provisions in the current code may be confusing or obsolete.

Summary:  Technical changes are made to certain provisions of Title 77 to make terminology uniform and correct typographical errors.  Some statutes are renumbered to reflect last year's recodification.  Terms are added where necessary to fit the two titles and two systems of regulation together.  Unnecessary or redundant language is repealed or deleted.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate440

House     93 0 (House amended)

Senate    47 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001