HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2360

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                    Fisheries & Wildlife

Title:  An act relating to the sale of informational materials by the department of fisheries.

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

Sponsor(s):  Representatives G. Cole, R. King and Basich; by request of Department of Fisheries.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Fisheries & Wildlife, February 4, 1992, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; Wilson, Ranking Minority Member; Fuhrman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; G. Cole; Haugen; Hochstatter; Orr; Padden; and Spanel.

Staff:  Keitlyn Watson (786-7310).

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The Department of Fisheries has published numerous informational materials for the public, several of which are out of date.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 of Amended Bill:

The director of the Department of Fisheries is authorized to collect moneys 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.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The original bill authorized the director of the Department of Fisheries to collect moneys to recover the costs of developing informational materials.  The amendment substitutes the word "drafting" for the word "developing." 

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of the session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (on original bill)  This is necessary to update information that the public finds useful.  Many existing publications are outdated.

Testimony Against:  (on original bill - concerns were addressed in the amendments)  Cost recovery could be interpreted broadly to include data gathering, and other activities.

Witnesses:  Susan Markey, Department of Fisheries (in favor); and Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters Association (opposed).