BILL REQ. #:  H-2060.1 

Read first time 03/03/2003.   Referred to Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to the recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program; amending RCW 77.105.010 and 77.105.150; and adding a new section to chapter 77.105 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 77.105.010 and 1998 c 245 s 157 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is created within the department of fish and wildlife the Puget Sound recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program. The department of fish and wildlife shall identify a coordinator for the program who shall act as spokesperson for the program and shall:
     (1) Coordinate the activities of the Puget Sound recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program, including the Lake Washington salmon fishery; and
     (2) Work within and outside of the department to achieve the goals stated in this chapter, including coordinating with the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee established in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 77.105 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee is created. The director shall appoint at least seven members representing sport fishing organizations to the committee from a list of applicants, ensuring broad representation from the sport fishing community. Each member shall serve for a term of two years, and may be reappointed for subsequent two-year terms at the discretion of the director. Members of the committee serve without compensation.
     (2) The Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee has the following duties:
     (a) Advise the department on all aspects of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;
     (b) Review and provide guidance on the annual budget for the recreational fisheries enhancement account;
     (c) Select a chair of the committee. It is the chair's duty to coordinate with the department on all issues related to the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;
     (d) Meet at least quarterly with the department's coordinator of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;
     (e) Review and comment on program documents and proposed production of salmon and other species; and
     (f) Address other issues related to the purposes of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program that are of interest to recreational fishers in Puget Sound.

Sec. 3   RCW 77.105.150 and 2000 c 107 s 120 are each amended to read as follows:
     The recreational fisheries enhancement account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from RCW 77.105.140 shall be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for recreational fisheries enhancement programs identified in this chapter. Under no circumstances may moneys from the account be used to backfill shortfalls in other state funding sources.