Title: An act relating to the advisory committee to the fish and wildlife commission composed of disabled individuals.

Brief Description: Extending the term of the disabled hunter and fishers advisory committee.

Sponsors: By Representatives Kretz, Blake, Kristiansen, Sump, B. Sullivan, Holmquist, Buri, Serben, Pearson, Hasegawa, McCune, Grant, P. Sullivan, Campbell, Ahern and Haigh.

Brief History:

Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks: 2/3/05, 2/4/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/3/05, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Upthegrove, Vice Chair; Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, DeBolt, Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Hunt, Orcutt and Williams.

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

The 2001 Legislature created a temporary advisory committee to the Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) that generally represents the interests of disabled hunters and fishers. These interests include special hunts, sporting equipment modifications, access to public lands, and increased hunting and fishing opportunities. The seven members of the advisory committee were appointed by the commission and are comprised of disabled individuals representing the six Department of Fish and Wildlife administrative units, and one member appointed at large.

The advisory committee is set to terminate on July 1, 2005. The Commission was required to submit a report to the Legislature in 2004 that detailed the effectiveness of the advisory committee, and recommended if the advisory committee should be continued or modified.

In its report to the Legislature, the Commission stated that the advisory committee presented information that led to rule making decisions that benefitted the community of disabled hunters, fishers, and wildlife viewers. The Commission concluded that their recommendation was for the advisory committee to be extended until July 1, 2008.

Summary of Bill:

The termination date for the Fish and Wildlife Commission's Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities is extended from July 1, 2005 until July 1, 2008.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The advisory committee is really just getting starting and has some unfinished business. The process allows doors to be opened for everybody with a disability to enjoy outdoor sports. The Commission values the input from the advisory committee and appreciates the large number of volunteer hours that have been served by its members, who are private citizens dedicated to extending opportunities for the disabled.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Kretz, prime sponsor; John A. Hunter, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Skip Dreps and Mike Davis, Northwest Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.