HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6053
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to studying the structure of the department of fish and wildlife.
Brief Description: Creating a legislative task force on the structure of the department of fish and wildlife.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Spanel, Jacobsen, Haugen, Hargrove, Hatfield, Morton, Murray, Fairley and Kohl-Welles).
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 3/26/07, 3/28/07 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by House Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 14 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
The Governor appoints a chief executive officer for each of the executive agencies, except
the Director of Fish and Wildlife. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW) is composed of the State Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) and the
Director of Fish and Wildlife (Director). The Commission appoints the Director, who serves
at the pleasure of the Commission.
The Director's duties include supervising the administration and operation of the WDFW,
performing the duties delegated by the Commission, and performing other duties given by
law. In addition to these duties, the Director is also the ex officio Secretary of the
Commission.
Summary of Amended Bill:
A legislative task force will study the structure of the WDFW. There will be 13 voting
members consisting of two members each from the House of Representatives and the Senate,
and nine members from interested parties. There will be two non-voting members appointed
by the Governor consisting of two representatives from the WDFW.
The task force will review and make recommendations regarding various aspects of the
structure of the WDFW and roles of employees, staff, and members of the WDFW and the
Commission. The task force will report its findings and recommendations by December 1,
2007.
This legislation expires on June 30, 2008.
Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:
Removes the Governor's Office from the legislative task force. The Governor, or Governor's
representative will no longer convene the initial meeting of the task force.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 23, 2007.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) There have been several attempts to look at the structure of the WDFW. This
bill would allow a study that will provide recommendations on how the WDFW should be
structured. There is one change from the House version of this bill from the Senate bill: the
Senate added one more representative to the task force.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Spanel, prime sponsor; and Ed Owens, Hunters Heritage Council, Citizens for Responsible Wildlife Management, and Coalition of Coastal Fisheries.