H-3308              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 2029

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Representatives D. Nelson, Winsley and Jacobsen

Read first time 1/24/86 and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to licensing wild mushroom pickers; adding a new section to chapter 79.08 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 79.08 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The commissioner of public lands may adopt rules affecting the times, quantities, places and conditions under which individuals may pick wild mushrooms on lands administered by the department of natural resources.

          (2) The commissioner of public lands may institute a program to license wild mushroom pickers, to protect wild mushrooms from over-picking, ensure their perpetuation, and provide an allocation system among the general public on lands administered by the department.  The commissioner may adopt rules regarding species affected, quantities picked, picking seasons, area closures, commercial leases, commercial and recreational licenses, the fees to be charged for issuance of licenses, and other rules necessary to implement the license program.

          (3) License fees established pursuant to this section shall be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund.

          (4) Any person convicted of a violation of rules adopted pursuant to this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars and not more than ten times the value of wild mushrooms picked in excess of the legal limit or five hundred dollars, whichever is greater.  The prevailing party shall be awarded attorney fees plus court costs.