FINAL BILL REPORT

                     EHB 2235

                                C 7 L 91 E1

                            Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Raising various hunting and fishing fees.

By Representatives Wang, Wilson, Prince, Belcher, Silver, R. King, Orr, Spanel and Day.

Background:  Nearly half, 47.9 percent, of the Department of Wildlife's budget is funded by hunting and fishing license fees.  Hunting and fishing license fees were most recently increased in 1985.  Increases also occurred in 1982, 1976 and 1971. 

The license sales have declined in the last 10 years.  A number of factors explain this decline: increased population density, increased urbanization of the population, changing family structure and aging of the state's population. 

Nonconsumptive users of the wildlife resource currently contribute to the funding of the Department of Wildlife through the purchase of migratory waterfowl artwork, the general fund, purchase of personalized license plates, and local funds.  Although it is unknown how much of these funds are generated specifically from nonconsumptive users of wildlife, the percentage of the Department of Wildlife's budget from these fund sources is 27.8 percent.  Revenues derived from the purchase of personalized motor vehicle license plates are placed into the wildlife fund and earmarked for nongame purposes.  The license plate application fee is currently $30.00 and the renewal fee is currently $20.00.

Summary:  Hunting and fishing license fees are increased by approximately 20 percent.  The most popular resident hunting and fishing licenses are increased as follows: combined hunting and fishing from $24.00 to $29.00; hunting from $12.00 to $15.00; deer tag from $15.00 to $18.00; elk tag from $20.00 to $24.00; waterfowl stamp from $5.00 to $6.00; fishing from $14.00 to $17.00; and steelhead card from $15.00 to $18.00.  See the bill for details on increases for nonresidents and other categories of fees.

Free fishing licenses for residents 70 years and older are eliminated and replaced with a $3 fee.  New fees are established for lynx tags, $24 resident and $360 nonresident.

The application and renewal fees for personalized license plates are raised by $10.00 and the revenue from this increase will be deposited in the state wildlife fund to be used for resource management associated with the nonconsumptive use of wildlife.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 56    37

Senate   27    18    (Senate amended)

House 65    28    (House concurred)

Effective:     July 1, 1991