READ FIRST TIME 02/17/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to the authority of state agencies to enter into agreements with the federal government under the endangered species act; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.30 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.21A RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 79A.05 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     Before the department seeks or dedicates funding to develop a new habitat conservation plan under the endangered species act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., or to develop a major amendment to an existing habitat conservation plan, the department must inform the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding the proposed timeline and budget and solicit the recommendations of the committees regarding public process and notification. The information provided by the department must include an economic analysis comparing the decision to enter into a habitat conservation plan with the decision to not enter into a habitat conservation plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.30 RCW under the subchapter heading "PART 5" to read as follows:
     Before the department seeks or dedicates funding to develop a new habitat conservation plan under the endangered species act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., or to develop a major amendment to an existing habitat conservation plan, the department must inform the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding the proposed timeline and budget and solicit the recommendations of the committees regarding public process and notification. The information provided by the department must include an economic analysis comparing the decision to enter into a habitat conservation plan with the decision to not enter into a habitat conservation plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 43.21A RCW to read as follows:
     Before the department seeks or dedicates funding to develop a new habitat conservation plan under the endangered species act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., or to develop a major amendment to an existing habitat conservation plan, the department must inform the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding the proposed timeline and budget and solicit the recommendations of the committees regarding public process and notification. The information provided by the department must include an economic analysis comparing the decision to enter into a habitat conservation plan with the decision to not enter into a habitat conservation plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 79A.05 RCW to read as follows:
     Before the commission seeks or dedicates funding to develop a new habitat conservation plan under the endangered species act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., or to develop a major amendment to an existing habitat conservation plan, the commission must inform the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding the proposed timeline and budget and solicit the recommendations of the committees regarding public process and notification. The information provided by the commission must include an economic analysis comparing the decision to enter into a habitat conservation plan with the decision to not enter into a habitat conservation plan.