WSR 15-14-089

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 29, 2015, 4:03 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering rule making to establish a combined license for food fish guides and game fish guides beginning in calendar year 2016.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, and SB [SSB] 5824 (section 7, chapter 97, Laws of 2015).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SB [SSB] 5824 was passed during the 2015 legislative session creating a new section in chapter 77.65 RCW directing the department to establish, by rule, a fish guide combination license to allow holders to offer or perform the services of a food fish and a game fish guide. The department must engage in rule making to adhere to state law and create the combined license, as well as establish the fee for the combined license. SB [SSB] 5824 (chapter 97, Laws of 2015) will be effective on July 24, 2015.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United State Coast Guard (USCG) requires and will monitor guides for safety certification, valid license and a sworn declaration requiring the license holder to certify whether the area of their operations will include federally recognized navigable water with a motorized vessel. The department will coordinate with the USCG as needed to implement the new fish guide license.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Frank Hawley, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Licensing Division, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2453, fax (360) 902-2464, e-mail Frank.Hawley@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by August 7, 2015. Expected proposal filing on or after August 14, 2015.

June 29, 2015

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator