SB 5617 - DIGEST

Requires the director of the department of fish and wildlife to: (1) Develop a program for the purchase and permanent retirement of salmon gill net licenses by December 31, 2022; and

(2) Administer the fishing license buyout program in three phases, as follows, before the gill net ban takes effect: Phase one to be conducted by December 31, 2020; phase two to be conducted by December 31, 2021; and phase three to be conducted by December 31, 2022.

Authorizes the department of fish and wildlife to purchase a salmon gill net license from a willing seller.

Prohibits the director from offering funding for a gill net license holder that has not landed a salmon in the state from 2014 through 2018.

Prohibits a person from using a gill net to take salmon beginning January 1, 2023.