HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1300

BYRepresentatives Basich, Sayan and Bumgarner; by request of Department of Fisheries

Relating to charter boat licenses.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Amondson, Basich, Beck, Belcher, Butterfield, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Haugen, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, Spanel and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 8, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people fishing for sturgeon, especially on the Columbia River.  This renewed interest has led to an increase in the number of charter boats offering trips to fish for sturgeon.

In mid-1987, the Department of Fisheries cited two charter boat operators for fishing for sturgeon without a charter boat license on the Columbia River below the Longview Bridge.  The citations were challenged in court, and it was found that the current statute requires a charter boat license when catching salmon on the Columbia River below the Longview Bridge and on Lake Washington, but not when catching other types of food fish, including sturgeon.

The proposal will require that all charter boats obtain a charter boat license when fishing for food fish on Lake Washington and on the Columbia River downstream from the Longview Bridge.

SUMMARY:

In addition to the current requirement that charter vessels obtain a license when fishing for salmon on Lake Washington and on the Columbia River downstream from the Longview Bridge, a license is required for charter boats that catch other types of food fish from these two water bodies.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 15, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries; Chuck Elliot, Ilwaco Charter Association; and Phil Anderson, Washington State Charter Boat Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It was agreed in 1977 that all charter boats fishing for food fish on Puget Sound, the Pacific Ocean, Lake Washington, and the lower Columbia River should be required to have a charter license.  This bill is consistent with that agreement.  Also, the bill will result in equal treatment for all charter boats.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.