(1) The Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee is created. The director shall appoint at least seven members representing sport fishing interests to the committee from a list of applicants, ensuring broad representation from the sport fishing community. Each member shall serve for a term of two years, and may be reappointed for subsequent two-year terms at the discretion of the director. Members of the committee serve without compensation.

     (2) The Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee has the following duties:

     (a) Advise the department on all aspects of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;

     (b) Develop recommendations, with assistance from the coordinator, for outcome-based goals and objectives to assess the effectiveness of the program;

     (c) Meet with the director each year to review these goals and objectives;

     (d) Report annually with the director to the commission on the goals of the program and the effectiveness of the program in meeting those goals;

     (e) Review and provide guidance on the annual budget for the recreational fisheries enhancement account;

     (f) Select a chair of the committee. It is the chair's duty to coordinate with the department on all issues related to the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;

     (g) Meet at least quarterly with the department's coordinator as identified in RCW 77.105.010 of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;

     (h) Review and comment on program documents and proposed production of salmon and other species;

     (i) Address other issues related to the purposes of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program that are of interest to recreational fishers in Puget Sound; and

     (j) Consistent with RCW 43.01.036, make a joint report with the department to the legislature each biennium on the status of the program.

[2011 c 266 § 6; 2003 c 173 § 2.]