BILL REQ. #:  S-1290.2 

Read first time 02/01/2007.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to the composition of the fish and wildlife commission; and amending RCW 77.04.030 and 77.04.040.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 77.04.030 and 2001 c 155 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The fish and wildlife commission consists of nine registered voters of the state. In January of each odd-numbered year, the governor shall appoint with the advice and consent of the senate three registered voters to the commission to serve for terms of six years from that January or until their successors are appointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs on the commission prior to the expiration of a term, the governor shall appoint a registered voter within sixty days to complete the term. ((Three members shall be residents of that portion of the state lying east of the summit of the Cascade mountains, and three shall be residents of that portion of the state lying west of the summit of the Cascade mountains. Three additional members shall be appointed at-large. No two members may be residents of the same county.))
     (2) At least one member must reside within the boundaries of each of the six administrative regions recognized by the department on the effective date of this section. No more than two members may reside in any single administrative region recognized by the department on the effective date of this section. No two members may be residents of the same county. With each appointment after the effective date of this section, the governor must incrementally bring commission membership into conformance with this subsection.
     (3) If a member is not confirmed by the senate within one year of that member's appointment, that member's position is considered vacated and the governor must appoint a registered voter within sixty days to complete the term.
     (4) The legal office of the commission is at the administrative office of the department in Olympia.

Sec. 2   RCW 77.04.040 and 1995 1st sp.s. c 2 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Persons eligible for appointment as members of the commission shall have general knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and wildlife and shall not hold another state, county, or municipal elective or appointive office. ((In making these appointments, the governor shall seek to maintain a balance reflecting all aspects of fish and wildlife, including representation recommended by organized groups representing sportfishers, commercial fishers, hunters, private landowners, and environmentalists.))
     (2) Membership on the commission shall be composed of: Two members recommended by statewide hunting organizations; two members recommended by statewide sportfishing associations; one member recommended by statewide commercial fishing organizations; three members recommended by statewide agricultural organizations; and one member recommended by statewide conservation organizations. With each appointment after the effective date of this section, the governor must incrementally bring commission membership into conformance with this subsection.
     (3) Persons eligible for appointment as fish and wildlife commissioners shall comply with the provisions of chapters 42.52 and 42.17 RCW.