WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

90.71.370 - Report to the governor and legislature -- State of the Sound report -- Review of programs.

Report to the governor and legislature — State of the Sound report — Review of programs.

(1) By December 1, 2008, and by September 1st of each even-numbered year beginning in 2010, the council shall provide to the governor and the appropriate fiscal committees of the senate and house of representatives its recommendations for the funding necessary to implement the action agenda in the succeeding biennium. The recommendations shall:

     (a) Identify the funding needed by action agenda element;

     (b) Address funding responsibilities among local, state, and federal governments, as well as nongovernmental funding; and

     (c) Address funding needed to support the work of the partnership, the panel, the ecosystem work group, and entities assisting in coordinating local efforts to implement the plan.

     (2) In the 2008 report required under subsection (1) of this section, the council shall include recommendations for projected funding needed through 2020 to implement the action agenda; funding needs for science panel staff; identify methods to secure stable and sufficient funding to meet these needs; and include proposals for new sources of funding to be dedicated to Puget Sound protection and recovery. In preparing the science panel staffing proposal, the council shall consult with the panel.

     (3) By November 1st of each odd-numbered year beginning in 2009, the council shall produce a state of the Sound report that includes, at a minimum:

     (a) An assessment of progress by state and nonstate entities in implementing the action agenda, including accomplishments in the use of state funds for action agenda implementation;

     (b) A description of actions by implementing entities that are inconsistent with the action agenda and steps taken to remedy the inconsistency;

     (c) The comments by the panel on progress in implementing the plan, as well as findings arising from the assessment and monitoring program;

     (d) A review of citizen concerns provided to the partnership and the disposition of those concerns;

     (e) A review of the expenditures of funds to state agencies for the implementation of programs affecting the protection and recovery of Puget Sound, and an assessment of whether the use of the funds is consistent with the action agenda; and

     (f) An identification of all funds provided to the partnership, and recommendations as to how future state expenditures for all entities, including the partnership, could better match the priorities of the action agenda.

     (4)(a) The council shall review state programs that fund facilities and activities that may contribute to action agenda implementation. By November 1, 2009, the council shall provide initial recommendations regarding program changes to the governor and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the senate and house of representatives. By November 1, 2010, the council shall provide final recommendations regarding program changes, including proposed legislation to implement the recommendation, to the governor and appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the senate and house of representatives.

     (b) The review in this subsection shall be conducted with the active assistance and collaboration of the agencies administering these programs, and in consultation with local governments and other entities receiving funding from these programs:

     (i) Water pollution control facilities financing, chapter 70.146 RCW;

     (ii) The water pollution control revolving fund, chapter 90.50A RCW;

     (iii) The public works assistance account, chapter 43.155 RCW;

     (iv) The aquatic lands enhancement account, RCW 79.105.150;

     (v) The state toxics control account and local toxics control account and clean-up program, chapter 70.105D RCW;

     (vi) The acquisition of habitat conservation and outdoor recreation land, chapter 79A.15 RCW;

     (vii) The salmon recovery funding board, RCW 77.85.110 through 77.85.150;

     (viii) The community economic revitalization board, chapter 43.160 RCW;

     (ix) Other state financial assistance to water quality-related projects and activities; and

     (x) Water quality financial assistance from federal programs administered through state programs or provided directly to local governments in the Puget Sound basin.

     (c) The council's review shall include but not be limited to:

     (i) Determining the level of funding and types of projects and activities funded through the programs that contribute to implementation of the action agenda;

     (ii) Evaluating the procedures and criteria in each program for determining which projects and activities to fund, and their relationship to the goals and priorities of the action agenda;

     (iii) Assessing methods for ensuring that the goals and priorities of the action agenda are given priority when program funding decisions are made regarding water quality-related projects and activities in the Puget Sound basin and habitat-related projects and activities in the Puget Sound basin;

     (iv) Modifying funding criteria so that projects, programs, and activities that are inconsistent with the action agenda are ineligible for funding;

     (v) Assessing ways to incorporate a strategic funding approach for the action agenda within the outcome-focused performance measures required by RCW 43.41.270 in administering natural resource-related and environmentally based grant and loan programs.

     (5) During the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, the council's review must result in a ranking of projects affecting the protection and recovery of the Puget Sound basin that are proposed in the governor's capital budget submitted under RCW 43.88.060. The ranking shall include recommendations for reallocation of total requested funds for Puget Sound basin projects to achieve the greatest positive outcomes for protection and recovery of Puget Sound and shall be submitted to the appropriate fiscal committees of the legislature no later than February 1, 2011.