BILL REQ. #:  S-1744.1 

Read first time 02/15/2007.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to the governance structure of the department of fish and wildlife; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The joint legislative audit and review committee shall study and review the governance structure of the department of fish and wildlife. The joint legislative audit and review committee shall review and report to the legislature on whether providing appointment authority of both the fish and wildlife commission, under RCW 77.04.030, and the director of the department of fish and wildlife, under RCW 77.04.055, to the commissioner of public lands would provide for a more unified public land management approach and more effective use of public resources. This review must include examination and recommendations regarding the fish and wildlife commission's role as an advisory body to the commissioner of public lands, rather than a regulatory body as the fish and wildlife commission currently is comprised. The joint legislative audit and review committee shall also review and report on the issues surrounding consolidating the department of fish and wildlife into the department of natural resources and solutions to make the consolidation as seamless and effective as possible. The joint legislative audit and review committee shall provide a final report on this review to the legislature by December 1, 2009.