Post by: NWPanhandler on March 27, 2009, 05:38:27 PM
Post by: Buckshot Bill on March 27, 2009, 05:45:27 PM
Post by: 3dsheetmetal on March 27, 2009, 05:47:16 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on March 27, 2009, 07:06:02 PM
Post by: bbarnes on March 27, 2009, 08:33:40 PM
Post by: Skyhigh on March 28, 2009, 10:05:04 AM
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5127&year=2009
Post by: NWPanhandler on April 01, 2009, 06:33:01 PM
Post by: Lungbuster on April 06, 2009, 11:51:17 AM
Post by: wazzuhunter on April 06, 2009, 12:54:40 PM
It is basically a way for the government to take full control over the fish and game department and cut the people of this state out of the loop in regards to helping set hunting and fishing seasons. It essentially takes away the sportsman's voice in fish and wildlife issues.
If I forgot anything, please add any other information you may have regarding the bill.
Post by: Lungbuster on April 06, 2009, 02:28:31 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on April 08, 2009, 09:13:19 AM
No it 's not
Re: ACT NOW against HB 1778 and For confirmation of Commissioner Miranda Wecker !
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2009, 05:52:36 PM »
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Attack continues on Fish & Wildlife Commission
Wednesday, April 1 | 8:28 p.m.
BY ALLEN THOMAS
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER
For two months, supporters of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission have been fighting legislation to neuter the system in which nine citizens, appointed by the governor, are the final authority in fish and wildlife matters.
And just when commission supporters thought they were on the cusp of winning, selected lawmakers used a parliamentary move on Monday to keep the future of the commission very much in doubt.
Senate Bill 5127 was introduced in the 2009 session to undo Referendum 45, a statewide ballot measure in 1995 that placed fish and wildlife governance in the hands of the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Referendum 45 passed with a 61 percent favorable vote and passed in all 39 counties.
SB 5127 passed the Senate 33-16, although all three Southwest Washington senators voted against the measure.
Supporters of the commission system thought they had the bill stopped in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Friday, when it was not brought up for a vote.
But it turns out the guts of SB 5127 were amended Monday onto House Bill 1778, which was passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation and sent to the Ways and Means Committee.
Substitute House Bill 1778 is a "Christmas tree'' bill, which means it has all kinds of ornaments now attached. The original version of HB 1778 dealt with fish and wildlife law-enforcement matters.
The amendment hung on SHB 1778 on Monday reduces the commission to seven members, reduces terms from six years to four and, most importantly, transfers the authority to appoint the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife from the commission to the governor. The governor must pick a director from a list of three candidates recommended by the commission.
The measure also vacates the current commission as of Aug. 1 and has the governor select new members.
These amendments aren't as objectionable as earlier provisions of SB 5127, but the power to hire and fire the director is key, and needs to stay with the commission.
For Southwest Washington anglers, getting rid of the current commission members is of no advantage. This bunch has given sportsmen a more level playing field in Columbia River salmon allocations than any previous commission makeup.
But here's my beef today: If the Legislature wants to undo Referendum 45, then do it openly. Do it through a single-issue bill that lawmakers have to support or oppose. Don't take something as significant as state fish and wildlife governance and hide in it an all-purpose bill.
Ironically, there are two other amendments to SHB 1778 that may appeal to some sportsmen.
One amendment would create a $20 two-pole fishing stamp for use in lowland lakes, and the other allows a 10 percent surcharge for two years on hunting and fishing licenses, permits, tags, stamps, or raffles.
Tom Davis, legislative liaison for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the surcharge would generate about $6 million for the agency.
So what's next?
A public hearing on SHB 1778 is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday before the Senate Ways and Means Committee in Olympia.
The bill has until April 7 to move out of the committee.
When it comes out of the Senate, the House can accept the changes or appoint a conference committee to bargain.
Confirmation hearing
On Friday, the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation Committee will hold a public hearing at 8 a.m. in Olympia regarding confirmation of Miranda Wecker of Naselle as a commission member. Wecker is chairman.
This is disingenuous. The committee tried to eliminate the current membership of the commission when it passed SB 5127. It's trying to eliminate the current membership as of Aug. 1 with its amendments to HB 1778.
Why subject Wecker to a confirmation hearing if the goal is to end her term on the commission in August? It's simply an opportunity for Senate committee members who don't like the commission to intimidate the panel and beat up on its chair.
Years ago, I asked a Fish and Wildlife Commission member what serving on the panel was like. He answered, "Six years, no pay and everyone hates you when you're done. It's a great gig.''
Allen Thomas covers hunting, fishing and other natural resource issues for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4555 or by e-mail at al.thomas@columbian.com.
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Post by: Dmanmastertracker on April 10, 2009, 08:39:01 AM
Post by: Little Dave on April 10, 2009, 09:16:24 AM
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on April 10, 2009, 09:34:36 AM
For some, it is tedious to read the whole bill. Here is one key place. The strikeout represents the existing law that is being overwriten, the underscore represents the proposed law. What is proposed to be taken away should actually be reinforced. Bill proposes to appoint paid seatwarmers to the commission.
What about lines 1-26 :dunno:
What I want to know, because It's not clear so far on this, does the current form of the bill still allow the Governess to appoint the Commission members?
Post by: Little Dave on April 12, 2009, 09:29:38 PM
Unchanged in the law is that the governor appoints the commissioners with the advice and consent of the senate.