Laserfiche WebLink
HILARY 5. FRANZ <br />COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS <br />RCW 7.84.140 <br />Expands the Commissioner's <br />existing delegation authority to <br />include federally recognized <br />Tribes: <br />"The commissioner of public <br />lands is authorized to delegate <br />enforcement authority over <br />natural resource infractions to <br />federally recognized Indian <br />Tribes under the interlocal <br />cooperation act chapter 39.34 <br />RCW." <br />RCW 43.12.065 <br />Adds federally recognized <br />Tribes to the organizations <br />with which the Commissioner <br />may enter into collaborative <br />law enforcement agreements: <br />"... the state parks and recreation <br />comrnlsslon, the department of <br />flsn and wildlife, and federally <br />recognized Indian Tribes <br />CONTACT <br />Brian Considine <br />Legislative Director <br />Cell 360-764-0013 <br />brian considine@dnrwa.gov <br />Olgy .Diaz <br />Deputy Legislative Director <br />Cell 360-918-3555 <br />olgy.diaz@dnr wa.gov <br />Tribal Interlocal Agreements <br />Authorizes the Commissioner of Public Lands to enter into <br />collaborative law enforcement agreements with federally <br />recognized Tribes, <br />DNR's Law Enforcement Program addresses the public safety and enforcement <br />challenges of managing 5.6 million acres of public lands that have seen at least <br />twenty percent increase in use since 2019, This bill authorizes the Commissioner of <br />Public Lands to enter into Interlocal Agreements with federally recognized Tribes. <br />This would authorize Tribal police officers to enforce natural resource civil <br />infractions on DNR-managed land, <br />This legislation embraces the purpose of the Interlocal Cooperation Act for local <br />governments to collaboratively use their authorities to efficiently serve the people <br />of Washington. There are no expected agency costs associated with this bill. <br />This bill does not require the Commissioner of Public Lands or any federally <br />recognized Tribe to enter into an agreement. Instead, the Commissioner and <br />federally recognized Tribes are allowed to pursue collaborative law enforcement <br />opportunities. The scope of such agreements is limited to DNR civil infractions. <br />DNR's law enforcement officers do not enforce the Forest Practices Act and Rules, <br />and neither would Tribal officers under an agreement with DNR. <br />This legislative request flows from the Interlocal Cooperation Act (Chapter 39.34 <br />RCM that includes federally recognized Tribes under the definition of public <br />agencies. <br />This bill should not impact other state agencies' responsibilities or law enforcement <br />operations. The bill does not seek reciprocal authority to carry out law enforcement <br />on Tribal lands. In addition, it does not seek to replace DNR's need for additional <br />law enforcement officers to address the forty percent increase in calls for service <br />that has been received since 2017. <br />