Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department will consider rule changes associated with the validation of charter stamps.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department needs a rule to prohibit fishing guides and charter-boat operators from reusing charter stamps rather than issuing a new stamp to each customer who needs a fishing license. There currently is no penalty for reusing charter stamps, even though the practice defrauds the state of license revenue. The legislature is considering a bill on the subject, and this rule project will supplement the bill if it passes. The proposed rule will: (1) Lay out the process for validating charter stamps so the stamps cannot be reused; and (2) ensure that charter-stamp-validation violations and the reuse of stamps are penalized appropriately.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     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 Lori Preuss, Administrative Regulations Coordinator, WDFW Enforcement Program, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2930, fax (360) 902-2156, e-mail Lori.Preuss@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by April 19, 2013. Expected proposal filing on or after May 1, 2013.

March 6, 2013

Lori Preuss

Administrative

Regulations Coordinator