Washington § 90.64.901 - Transfer of powers, duties, and functions to the department of agriculture.

(1) All powers, duties, and functions of the department of ecology pertaining to chapter 90.64 RCW are transferred to the department of agriculture. All references to the director of ecology or the department of ecology in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director of agriculture or the department of agriculture when referring to the functions transferred in this section.

(2)(a) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or written material in the possession of the department of ecology pertaining to the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be delivered to the custody of the department of agriculture. All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed by the department of ecology in carrying out the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be made available to the department of agriculture. All funds, credits, or other assets held in connection with the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be assigned to the department of agriculture.

(b) Any appropriations made to the department of ecology for carrying out the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall, on July 1, 2003, be transferred and credited to the department of agriculture.

(c) Whenever any question arises as to the transfer of any funds, books, documents, records, papers, files, equipment, or other tangible property used or held in the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties and functions transferred, the director of financial management shall make a determination as to the proper allocation and certify the same to the state agencies concerned.

(3) All rules and all pending business before the department of ecology pertaining to the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be continued and acted upon by the department of agriculture. All existing contracts and obligations shall remain in full force and shall be performed by the department of agriculture.

(4) The transfer of the powers, duties, and functions of the department of ecology shall not affect the validity of any act performed before July 1, 2003.

(5) If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers directed by this section, the director of financial management shall certify the apportionments to the agencies affected, the state auditor, and the state treasurer. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with the certification.

Effective date—2003 c 325 ss 2 and 6: "Sections 2 and 6 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2003." [ 2003 c 325 s 9.]

Intent—Finding—2003 c 325: See note following RCW 90.64.030.