HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5419

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators DeJarnatt, Metcalf and Sutherland)

Allowing Oregon charter boats to fish in Washington waters.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (9)

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

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 4, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Salmon charter boats take recreational fishers off Washington and Oregon shores to fish for salmon.  A large number of these charter boats operate out of ports near the Washington/Oregon border, and there are advantages in being able to take passengers to fish at locations on both sides of the boundary between the two states.

To operate a salmon charter boat in Washington State waters, a charter boat license and angler permit are required.  Washington has imposed a moratorium on the issuance of additional charter boat licenses and angler permits, so that new entrants must purchase a license from existing license holders.  The current price of a charter boat license with permits for six anglers ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, and approximately 20 licenses are transferred annually.

In Oregon waters, a charter boat license also is required, but Oregon does not have a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses.  A Oregon license currently costs $10.50, although legislation is being proposed to raise the fee to $100 - $200 for non-residents.

The current licensing programs make it relatively easy and inexpensive for Washington charter boats to operate in Oregon waters, but relatively expensive and difficult for Oregon charter boats to operate in Washington waters.

In order to provide equity in licensing requirements and allow more open access to offshore areas near the boundary of the two states, amendments to charter boat licensing statutes are being recommended by charter boat owners in both states.

SUMMARY:

A charter boat licensed in Oregon may fish in ocean waters from the state's southern boundary to Leadbetter Point without a charter boat license and angler permits if:  (1) the Oregon charter boat does not land at a Washington port with the purpose of taking on or discharging passengers; and (2) Oregon has reciprocal laws and regulations.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Milt Gudgell, Ilwaco Charter Boat Association;  Phil Anderson, Washington Charter Boat Association; and Loren Stern, Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Ray Nelson, Willapa Bay Gillnetters.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The bill will allow Washington and Oregon coastal salmon charter boats greater flexibility in where they can take their clients. The disadvantages of having Oregon charter vessels in Washington waters will be more than overcome by the ability of Washington charter boats to use Oregon waters.  All charter vessels will be required to follow state fishing regulations.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      This bill will allow Oregon charter boats to fish in areas that are used as fish conservation areas.