CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1656

Chapter 345, Laws of 2007

(partial veto)

60th Legislature
2007 Regular Session

PUGET SOUND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ACCOUNT

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/22/07

Passed by the House April 17, 2007 Yeas 98 Nays 0 FRANK CHOPP ________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives Passed by the Senate April 12, 2007 Yeas 45 Nays 1 BRAD OWEN ________________________________________ President of the Senate		CERTIFICATE I, Richard Nafziger, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1656 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth. RICHARD NAFZIGER ________________________________________ Chief Clerk
Approved May 7, 2007, 9:58 a.m., with the exception of section 2 which is vetoed. CHRISTINE GREGOIRE ________________________________________ Governor of the State of Washington		FILED May 8, 2007 Secretary of State State of Washington

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SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1656
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AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
Passed Legislature - 2007 Regular Session

State of Washington

60th Legislature

2007 Regular Session

By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Upthegrove, B. Sullivan, Appleton, Chase, Santos, Dickerson and Sells)

READ FIRST TIME 03/05/07.

AN ACT Relating to establishing a Puget Sound scientific research account; adding new sections to chapter 90.71 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 Although research about conditions in Puget Sound have been studied during the past several decades, the legislature finds that there is no coordinated, focused, comprehensive Puget Sound science program capable of setting research priorities for Puget Sound science. The legislature finds that environmental problems in Puget Sound are complex and that research is needed to provide information that can guide protective and restorative actions, and to explore and understand the impacts of a changing environment. The legislature also finds that there is no predictable funding process for Puget Sound research projects, including the aquatic rehabilitation zone one. The legislature declares that the state needs a process to focus the scientific effort on the Puget Sound ecosystem and to distribute research funds.

     *NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 90.71 RCW to read as follows:
     The Puget Sound leadership council created pursuant to chapter . . ., Laws of 2007 (House Bill No. 1374 or Senate Bill No. 5374) shall:
     (1) Work with the science panel to identify gaps in scientific research related to restoring Puget Sound, including the aquatic rehabilitation zone one created in RCW 90.88.010;
     (2) Develop a competitive process for soliciting research addressing those gaps;
     (3) Solicit and strategically prioritize research programs and projects in accordance with recommendations from the science panel;
     (4) Select and fund the highest priority research programs and projects; and
     (5) Develop and implement an appropriate peer review process to review results from such programs and projects.
     *Sec. 2 was vetoed. See message at end of chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 90.71 RCW to read as follows:
The Puget Sound scientific research account is created in the state treasury. All gifts, grants, federal moneys, or appropriations made to the account 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 research programs and projects selected pursuant to section 2 of this act.

         Passed by the House April 17, 2007.
         Passed by the Senate April 12, 2007.
         Approved by the Governor May 7, 2007, with the exception of certain items that were vetoed.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 8, 2007.

     Note: Governor's explanation of partial veto is as follows:

"I am returning, without my approval as to Section 2, Second Substitute House Bill 1656 entitled:

     "AN ACT Relating to establishing a Puget Sound scientific research account."

This legislation creates a new Puget Sound research account, and assigns tasks to the Puget Sound Leadership Council created in Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5372 (Puget Sound Partnership bill).

Section 2 of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1656 would assign to the Puget Sound Leadership Council the responsibility for identifying research gaps, and for competitive selection, prioritization, peer review, and funding for science projects. However, several of these responsibilities are assigned to the Puget Sound science panel created in the Puget Sound Partnership bill.

The Puget Sound Partnership will be a new agency with many challenging tasks and issues related to Puget Sound restoration. Good science is fundamental to the Partnership's success. Inconsistent responsibility assignments for scientific research would complicate the agency's ability to establish and carry out a sound, efficient science program.

I can see the value to the Puget Sound restoration effort of having a separate account for expenditures related to scientific research. As a result, I direct the Puget Sound Partnership to work with the Legislature to develop a legislative proposal for consideration during the 2008 session that harmonizes the remaining provisions of Second Substitute House Bill 1656 with those contained in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5372.

For these reasons, I am vetoing Section 2 of Second Substitute House Bill 1656.

With the exception of Section 2, Second Substitute House Bill 1656 is approved."