HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5064

BYSenators Smith, Rasmussen, Metcalf and Benitz

Requiring licensing of salmon guides.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; S. Wilson, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bowman, Cole, Smith, Spanel and Vekich.

House Staff:Pamela Madson (786-7310)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Wildlife requires a license for persons who professionally serve as guides for clients fishing for game fish.  The annual license fee is $150 for resident guides and $500 for non- resident guides.

The Department of Fisheries licenses charter boats from which food fish is taken for personal use.  The annual license fee is $200 for both resident and non-resident vessels fishing for salmon.  Excluded from this license requirement are vessels used by guides for clients fishing for salmon for their personal use in freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes.  Lake Washington and the Columbia River below the bridge at Longview are not considered to be a freshwater lake or river.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  A salmon guide license is required by a guide to fish for salmon for personal use in fresh water rivers and streams other than that part of the Columbia River below the bridge at Longview.  The annual license fee is $150 for residents and $500 for non-residents.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The resident salmon guide license fee is increased from $50 to $150 making it consistent with a similar license fee for game fish guides under the Department of Wildlife.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Linda Smith, Prime Sponsor; and Loren Stern, Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There is no current licensing scheme for persons acting as salmon fishing guides operating in Washington fresh waters.  Oregon residents come to Washington streams and operate as salmon fishing guides.  Oregon has a guide license requirement for Oregon waters. It is reasonable to provide a licensing scheme for salmon guides that is similar to the requirement by the Washington Department of Wildlife for game fish guides.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.