HB 1543 - DIGEST

Finds that there is a critical need to establish a single purpose agency to administer Washington's water resource laws and that the agency be directly accountable to the voters of the state of Washington.

Declares that the findings of the governor's Washington competitiveness council released December 11, 2001, are accurate and that a water commission is necessary for the effective management of the water resources of the state.

Declares that all powers, duties, and functions of the department of ecology pertaining to those powers and duties set out in this act are transferred to the commission. All references to the director or the department of ecology in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the commission when referring to the functions transferred in this act.