Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
HB 1437
Brief Description: Concerning a vessel crewmember license.
Sponsors: Representatives MacEwen and Eslick.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt fishery-specific rules regarding commercial fishing crewmember licenses.
  • Requires crewmember license holders to carry identification.
  • Provides that an individual who is prohibited from obtaining a crewmember license may not be covered by a "John Doe" crewmember license held by a commercial fishing license holder.
Hearing Date: 2/9/21
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) manages the commercial harvest of food fish, shellfish, and salmon.  Commercial fishers must obtain applicable licenses from the DFW.  In general, commercial fishing license fees are structured by species and fishing technique. 


Crewmembers of commercial fishing vessels must obtain a crewmember license.  Immediate family members, including spouses, children, or grandchildren, of a person who holds a commercial fishing license are exempt from the crewmember licensing requirement.


A commercial fishing license holder may purchase up to two crewmember licenses for any individual working on the vessel named on the commercial fishing license, sometimes referred to as a "John Doe" license.  Each "John Doe" crewmember license covers one crewmember per trip. 
Summary of Bill:

The Fish and Wildlife Commission may adopt fishery-specific rules to increase the number of commercial fishing crewmember licenses that may be held by a commercial fishing license holder and that pertain to the issuance, validity, use, possession, and display of the license.


Individuals required to have a crewmember license must carry at least one piece of identification that contains their photograph and signature.  A "John Doe" crewmember license held by a commercial fishing license holder may not be used to cover an individual who is prohibited from obtaining a crewmember license.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.