HB1685 - WDFW Commission Bill

[Practical Approach]

I am not sure what to make of this one.  Initially I am suspicious and skeptical.


https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1685&Year=2025&Initiative=false

[Mtnwalker]

I'm not the sharpest bulb in the drawer so maybe I'm reading this wrong, but basically they want the current commission and the governor (Ferguson) to appoint the new director who is now in charge of a bunch of stuff that the commission was previously in charge of... am I close here?

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm not the sharpest bulb in the drawer so maybe I'm reading this wrong, but basically they want the current commission and the governor (Ferguson) to appoint the new director who is now in charge of a bunch of stuff that the commission was previously in charge of... am I close here?

That's how I read it as well.  What could go wrong there

[Rainier10]

I’m concerned this part is struck from section 2

((Persons eligible for appointment as director shall have
practical knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and
wildlife. The director shall supervise the administration and
operation of the department and perform the duties prescribed by law
and delegated by the commission. The director shall carry out the
basic goals and objectives prescribed under RCW 77.04.055.))

[Mtnwalker]

I'm not the sharpest bulb in the drawer so maybe I'm reading this wrong, but basically they want the current commission and the governor (Ferguson) to appoint the new director who is now in charge of a bunch of stuff that the commission was previously in charge of... am I close here?

That's how I read it as well.  What could go wrong there

A single source of more power appointed directly by the Governor's office. Color me skeptical

[fishngamereaper]

That's like deciding to cut off your right arm or your left arm...

I really don't see a good outcome...

[Rainier10]

I see the word preserve a lot and I’m concerned at all the stuff struck in section five about maximizing opportunity to hunt and fish.

[full choke]

I’m concerned this part is struck from section 2

((Persons eligible for appointment as director shall have
practical knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and
wildlife. The director shall supervise the administration and
operation of the department and perform the duties prescribed by law
and delegated by the commission. The director shall carry out the
basic goals and objectives prescribed under RCW 77.04.055.))

Pretty odd thing to strike out, unless you plan to destroy the way things have historically been run...

[MeepDog]

Also this part where the newly appointed person wouldnt have to abide by the same rules the commission currently feels theyre hamstrung by.

Wildlife, fish, and shellfish are the property of the state. The
((commission, director, and the)) department shall preserve, protect,
perpetuate, and manage the wildlife and food fish, game fish, and
shellfish in state waters and offshore waters.

[fishngamereaper]

Press release Gov fergtard.
I'd like to congratulate Lorna Smith on her newly appointed position of Director of the wdfw...

[bigtex]

I'm not the sharpest bulb in the drawer so maybe I'm reading this wrong, but basically they want the current commission and the governor (Ferguson) to appoint the new director who is now in charge of a bunch of stuff that the commission was previously in charge of... am I close here?

No.

What the bill does is make the WDFW Director a position appointed by the governor. The commissions authority will be gutted and essentially turned into an advisory commission for the Director.

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[Bushcraft]

Springer and Fitzgibbon. Reps from the 45th and 34th.  What could possibly be their motive? 

[TriggerMike]

I'm not the sharpest bulb in the drawer so maybe I'm reading this wrong, but basically they want the current commission and the governor (Ferguson) to appoint the new director who is now in charge of a bunch of stuff that the commission was previously in charge of... am I close here?

No.

What the bill does is make the WDFW Director a position appointed by the governor. The commissions authority will be gutted and essentially turned into an advisory commission for the Director.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

So this is what option #2 in Ruckelshaus report was then?

[Mtnwalker]

I'm not the sharpest bulb in the drawer so maybe I'm reading this wrong, but basically they want the current commission and the governor (Ferguson) to appoint the new director who is now in charge of a bunch of stuff that the commission was previously in charge of... am I close here?

No.

What the bill does is make the WDFW Director a position appointed by the governor. The commissions authority will be gutted and essentially turned into an advisory commission for the Director.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Got it. So the governor (Bob Ferguson) appoints a director who is bestowed with much of the authority that was previously held by the runaway commission. Said runaway commission then serves as an advisory role to the Ferguson-appointed Director. And here I was concerned 

[Special T]

Ferguson  seems more agnostic on wildlife issues than inslee. I his wife isn't an anti. I see this a little differently.  Not sure it's a good thing but Lorna as director isn't gonna happen.