FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 2360

                          C 13 L 92

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing the sale of informational materials by the department of fisheries.

By Representatives G. Cole, R. King and Basich; by request of Department of Fisheries.

House Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Background:  The Department of Fisheries currently does not have statutory authority to sell informational material to the public, other than that provided by RCW 42.17.300, which allows agencies to impose a reasonable charge for providing copies of public records.  The charges may not exceed the actual cost of copying.  The Department of Wildlife has statutory authority under RCW 77.12.185 to sell informational materials to recover the costs of publication.

The Department of Fisheries has published numerous informational materials for the public, several of which are out of date.  The department wishes to update some of the more popular publications, and to cover the reasonable costs of doing so.

Summary:  The director of the Department of Fisheries is authorized to recover the reasonable costs of drafting and publishing informational materials.  Reasonable costs are defined to include only costs of drafting, printing, distribution, and postage.  Regulation pamphlets shall not be sold.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  89   0

Senate 48   0

Effective:    June 11, 1992