Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
General Government Appropriations & Oversight Committee |
SSB 5036
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. |
Brief Description: Regarding the derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Marine Waters (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, Swecker and Fraser; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Ecology).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/24/11
Staff: Owen Rowe (786-7391) and Courtney Barnes (786-7194).
Background:
Vessel Registration Fees.
Generally, no person may own or operate any vessel on the waters of this state unless the vessel has been registered. The current registration fee is $10.50 per year, which is deposited in the State General Fund.
In addition to the $10.50 registration fee, a vessel owner must pay other fees, including an annual derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee of $5. The $5 fee funds both derelict vessel and invasive species removal programs, and is distributed as follows:
$2 is deposited in the Derelict Vessel Removal Account, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources;
$1.50 is deposited in the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Account, which is administered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife;
$1 is deposited in the Freshwater Aquatic Algae Control Account, which is administered by the Department of Ecology (DOE); and
$0.50 is deposited in the Aquatic Invasive Species Enforcement Account, which is administered by the Washington State Patrol.
The $5 fee for derelict vessel and invasive species removal expires on June 30, 2012. On and after June 30, 2012, the fee is $2 and is deposited in the Derelict Vessel Removal Account.
Summary of Bill:
The expiration date for the $5 derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee is eliminated. The provision reducing the $5 fee to $2 in 2012 is removed.
Language is removed that authorized the Freshwater Aquatic Algae Control Account to be used for grants for sea lettuce research and removal for Puget Sound communities during the 2009-11 biennium.
The Freshwater Aquatic Algae Control Account is renamed as the Aquatic Algae Control Account. The scope of the DOE's Aquatic Algae Control Account and program is expanded to include saltwater nuisance algae. Saltwater nuisance algae is defined.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.