Restructuring fish and wildlife governance.

HB 1685 restructures Washington’s fish and wildlife governance by shifting executive leadership from a commission to a governor-appointed director with senate approval. The director becomes the department’s chief executive, responsible for day-to-day operations, while the commission remains an advisory body for public input and tribal collaboration. The bill requires the director to form an interagency work group (including state agencies and tribal representatives) to improve coordination on wildlife issues and submit a 2026 report to the legislature. It also updates statutes to clarify the department’s role in managing fish/wildlife resources and ensures the commission retains final approval over tribal agreements and the department’s budget. The work group provisions expire August 31, 2026.