Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 2626

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: Increasing commercial fishing license fees for nonresidents.

Sponsors: Representatives Blake, Griffey, Wilcox, Condotta, Tharinger, Nealey, Pike, Chapman, Wylie, Tarleton and Steele; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Increases fees for nonresident commercial fishing; buying, selling, and dealing; delivery; and guide licenses and endorsements.

  • Reduces resident fees for game fish and food fish guide licenses.

Hearing Date: 1/17/18

Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).

Background:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) manages the commercial fish harvest of food fish, shellfish, and salmon. Commercial fishers and crewmembers, buyers and sellers, and fishing guides must obtain applicable licenses from the DFW. Additionally, delivery licenses are required to deliver salmon and shrimp commercially harvested in offshore waters to a port in Washington. In general, commercial fishing license fees are structured by species and fishing technique. There is a resident and nonresident fee set in statute for each license type and various application fees and surcharges depending on the license.

There are several categories of commercial fish buyers and sellers:

Summary of Bill:

Nonresident fees for commercial fishing; buying and dealing; and delivery licenses, and the limited fish seller endorsement, are increased. Crewmember license fees are not changed. The increases result in a fee differential of $385 between each resident and nonresident license. Some examples are as follows:

License/Endorsement type

Nonresident fee

(current)

Nonresident fee

(HB 2626)

Fish Dealer

$475

$785

Geoduck Diver

$410

$740

Ocean Pink Shrimp Delivery

$375

$685

Limited Fish Seller

$145

$455

Additionally, resident fees for fishing guide licenses are reduced. The resident food fish guide license is decreased from $280 to $210, and the nonresident fee is increased from $355 to $595. The resident game fish guide license is decreased from $410 to $305, and the nonresident fee is increased from $485 to $690. These changes also result in a $385 fee differential between resident and nonresident fees.

All application fees and surcharges remain the same.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 10, 2018

Effective Date: January 1, 2019