SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2011

BYHouse Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife (originally sponsored by Representative R. King) 

Changing provisions regulating commercial fishing licenses.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1989; March 31, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Bauer, Kreidler, Owen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                  March 31, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Fisheries is authorized to issue a wide variety of commercial fishing licenses.  The fees for these licenses have not been changed at a minimum of 12 years, in the case of salmon licenses, to as much as 30 years, in the case of some bottomfish licenses.

There is a concern that food fish commercial license fees should be increased.

SUMMARY:

Commercial food fish license fees are increased in the following amounts:  salmon, 35 percent; charter boat, 35 percent; delivery permit, 35 percent; bottomfish minimum license fee of $100; shellfish minimum license fee of $100; smelt, 35 percent; mechanical harvester, 35 percent; geoduck tract, 35 percent; oyster reserve increased to $100; fish buyer is increased to $20.  A wholesale dealer's license is increased to $100, and a deckhand license is increased to $20.  All nonresident licenses are twice the amount of resident licenses.  The Director of the Department of Fisheries shall adjust the fees every third year in accordance with the implicit price deflator.  A bottom trawl license is created for areas outside of Puget Sound; the fee is $150.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested March 22, 1989

Effective Date:January 1, 1990

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Many of the bottomfish and shellfish commercial licenses are increased a lesser amount than in the original legislation.

Senate Committee - Testified: Rob Zuanich, PSVOA (pro); Ray Nelson, commercial fisherman (con); Lorer Sterr, Department of Fisheries (pro); Steve Arbaugh, PSGA (con); Doug Frizke, Salmon Advisory Council (con)