"An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries by members of the board; and providing for an effective date. "

CSHB 241 implements changes recommended by the Joint Salmon Industry Task Force to the Board of Fisheries conflict of interest policy. The Board of Fisheries is not as effective as it should be when members with the most knowledge and experience in certain areas must excuse themselves when those issues arise.

The Board of Fisheries is a lay board composed of members with various backgrounds and expertise. Some members are involved in the commercial fishing industry, some in recreational fishing, some are fishing lodge owners and others are public members with an interest in fisheries. Under current policy certain members are conflicted out of participation, which removes them from public record. It would be a better policy to have members state whatever conflict they may have on the record, participate on the record, and vote on the record. These people have knowledge and experience that should be used to assist the Board of Fisheries in making the best possible decisions. Currently they are not allowed to use that expertise. This must be corrected. It is critical that all members of the Board of Fisheries be allowed to use their valuable expertise to add important information and perspective to the subjects being discussed and voted upon.

An amendment proposed by the Department of Law was made to HB 241 in the Fisheries Committee. This amendment restores ability to get an advisory opinion from the Attorney Generals office and adds clarity to achieve the original purposes of the bill.

This bill requires Board of Fisheries members to disclose a personal or financial interest on the record before participating in matters before the board. If they disclose a conflict of interest this would not disqualify a board member from participating in and voting on matters before the board.

I ask for your support of CSHB 241 (FSH).

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