The Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) operates under a statutory mandate to preserve, protect, perpetuate, and manage Washington's wildlife, food fish, game fish, and shellfish.  The Commission is composed of nine registered voters of the state appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.  Each odd-numbered year, three commissioners are appointed for six-year terms.  No two commissioners may reside in the same county.  In order to be eligible for appointment to the Commission, a person must have general knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and wildlife and may not hold another state, county, or municipal elective or appointive office. 

In making appointments to the Commission, the Governor must seek to maintain a balance reflecting all aspects of fish and wildlife, including representation recommended by organized groups representing sportfishers, commercial fishers, hunters, private landowners, and environmentalists.  If a vacancy occurs on the Commission before the end of the Commissioner's term, the Governor must appoint a successor within 60 days to complete the term. 

Four new commissioner positions and four alternate commissioner positions are added to the Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) representing federally recognized tribes whose traditional lands and territories included parts of Washington (federally recognized tribes), bringing the total number of commissioners from nine to 13, with four alternates.  The quorum for the Commission to transact business and call special meetings is updated from five members to seven members.  In making all appointments to the Commission, the Governor must continue to seek a balance reflecting all aspects of fish and wildlife, adding representation recommended by organized groups representing federally recognized tribes to the other entities that currently must be considered.

The four new commissioners must be elected as Chair or to an equivalent executive office of a federally recognized tribe.  The four alternates must be elected to a tribal council or to an equivalent legislative office of a federally recognized tribe.  Two of the commissioners and two of the alternates must be from tribes located east of the Cascades, and two must be located west of the Cascades.  The requirements that Commissioners not hold another elected or appointed office, be registered voters in Washington, and have general knowledge of the habitats and distribution of fish and wildlife are maintained for the current nine commission positions, but are not extended to the commissioner and alternate positions representing federally recognized tribes.

Each of the commissioners and alternates representing federally recognized tribes serve staggered four-year terms, and are appointed by the Governor in January of each odd-numbered year, with the advice and consent of the Senate.  While serving in their role as commissioner or alternate, each member must represent the interests of all federally recognized tribes. 

If a commissioner position representing federally recognized tribes is vacant, an alternate will serve in their place until the Governor appoints a new Tribal Chair to the position.  If a commissioner or alternate position is vacant for any reason, the Governor must appoint a qualifying individual within 60 days.  If a commissioner or alternate is no longer elected to their position as chair or councilmember of a tribe, their position is considered vacant.