FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1150

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.

FULL VETO

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Clarifying procedures for appointment to the Chehalis board created by chapter 194, Laws of 2016.

Sponsors: Representatives DeBolt and Blake; by request of Department of Ecology.

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Energy, Environment & Telecommunications

Background:

The Chehalis Board (Board) is responsible for the oversight of a long-term strategy to reduce flood damages and restore aquatic species habitat in the Chehalis Basin. The strategy must include a detailed set of actions, an implementation schedule, and quantified measures to evaluate success.

The Board consists of seven voting members. Four voting members are appointed by the Governor and are subject to Senate confirmation, including one member each from the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Quinault Indian Nation. Three members are appointed by the Chehalis Basin Flood Authority (Flood Authority). The Governor must seek board appointees that provide expertise necessary to provide oversight of the Chehalis Basin strategy. The Governor must appoint one of the Flood Authority appointees to serve as chair.

The following officials serve as ex officio members of the Board:

Each voting member of the Board is appointed for a four-year term, except that two members must initially be appointed for two years, and three members must initially be appointed for three years.

Summary:

The Governor must invite the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Quinault Indian Nation to each designate one voting member of the Board, not subject to Senate confirmation, to serve a four-year term.

Initially, the following members must be appointed for a two-year term:

Initially, the following members must be appointed for a three-year term:

Each member appointed thereafter must be appointed for a four-year term.

The requirement to seek members who possess applicable knowledge and expertise to provide oversight of the Chehalis Basin strategy applies to all appointing authorities, instead of only the Governor. Members of the Board may not have a financial interest in the actions of the Board, but may have a regulatory interest.

Votes on Final Passage:

House

96

1

Senate

46

0

(Senate amended)

House

93

3

(House concurred)