(1) The Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from Columbia river salmon and steelhead endorsement purchases under RCW 77.12.745 and gifts made for purposes of the Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only to facilitate recreational salmon and steelhead selective fishing opportunities on the Columbia river and its tributaries including, but not limited to, monitoring, hatchery production, pinniped removal, and enforcement. Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.

(2) This section expires January 1, 2028.

Effective date—2025 c 321: "This act takes effect January 1, 2026." [ 2025 c 321 s 4.]