BILL REQ. #:  S-0485.1 

Read first time 01/12/2007.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to a wildlife rehabilitation program; amending RCW 46.16.606; adding new sections to chapter 77.12 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The paramount duty of the department of fish and wildlife is to preserve, protect, and perpetuate all wildlife species. The wildlife of Washington belong to the citizens of this state and are a valuable resource that must be protected and cared for in order to preserve this resource for Washington's future. As Washington's population continues to expand and more land that was once wildlife habitat is developed for homes and businesses, injury to wildlife and human interaction with wildlife is on the rise. It is essential that the state recognize the critical role wildlife rehabilitators play in caring for the sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife of our state.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.16.606 and 1991 sp.s. c 7 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to the fees imposed in RCW 46.16.585 for application and renewal of personalized license plates an additional fee of ((ten)) twelve dollars shall be charged. ((The revenue)) Ten dollars from the additional fee shall be deposited in the state wildlife ((fund)) account and used for the management of resources associated with the nonconsumptive use of wildlife. Two dollars from the additional fee shall be deposited into the wildlife rehabilitation account created under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     The wildlife rehabilitation account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from moneys directed to the account from RCW 46.16.606 must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the support of the wildlife rehabilitation program created under section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     The director shall establish a wildlife rehabilitation program to help support the critical role rehabilitators play in caring for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in our state. The director shall contract for wildlife rehabilitation services in each of the department's six administrative regions. The contracts must be for a term of two years. To be eligible for this program, the wildlife rehabilitator must be properly licensed under state and federal law. The department must require that contractors submit detailed reports accounting for all expenditures of state funds. The reports must be submitted to the department annually.