Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
HB 1917
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Creating additional requirements for certain fishing guide activities.
Sponsors: Representatives Van De Wege, Blake and Tharinger.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/20/13
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
A person must be licensed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in order to, for a fee, serve as a fishing guide. There are various licenses available from the WDFW depending on what service a fishing guide plans to provide and where the service will be provided.
A Game Fish Guide License is available that allows the holder to offer or perform the services of a game fish guide. The fee for this license is $180 for residents and $600 for nonresidents. A Food Fish Guide License is available for those offering guide services for food fish in freshwater rivers and streams. The fee for this license is $130 for residents and $360 for nonresidents. Finally, a Charter Boat License is available for those interested in offering guide services in in offshore waters including: Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, the Pacific Ocean, Lake Washington, and the Columbia River below the bridge at Longview. The fee for a Charter Boat License is either $225 or $380 for state residents and $375 or $685 for nonresidents. All of these licenses are subject to a $70 application fee.
A person can be convicted of a gross misdemeanor if he or she operates a charter boat or acts as a fish guide without the proper licensure.
Summary of Bill:
A new license stamp is created that is required of any fishing guide who intends to provide services for a steelhead fishery located on a non-marine Western Washington body of water. The new license stamp, called the Western Washington Steelhead Guide Stamp, may only be purchased by a person who has already purchased a Charter Fish License, a Game Fish Guide License, or a Food Fish Guide License.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission must adopt rules related to the new stamp. These rules are to outline the prerequisites for purchasing the stamp and may include experience and safety standards, a limit on the number of stamps offered, and a fee to be charged for the stamp.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 18, 2013.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.