The bill amends the composition and appointment process of the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission by increasing its membership from nine to thirteen, which includes four alternate members. The new structure mandates that nine members must be registered voters of the state, while four additional members must be elected chairs or equivalent executive officers of federally recognized Indian tribes whose traditional lands include parts of Washington. The bill specifies that two tribal members must be from tribes located east of the Cascade Mountains and two from tribes located west of the mountains. The governor will appoint these members with the advice and consent of the senate, and they will serve terms of four years.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of representation from various stakeholders in the fish and wildlife community, including federally recognized tribes, and modifies the quorum requirement for meetings from five to seven members. It also updates the legal language regarding the eligibility of commission members and the provisions for their compensation and travel expenses. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the representation of tribal interests in the commission and ensure a more diverse and balanced approach to fish and wildlife management in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 77.04.030, 77.04.040, 77.04.060