SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5082

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES,

                               JANUARY 31, 1991

Brief Description:  Requiring licenses for professional salmon fishing guides.

SPONSORS:Senators Bauer, L. Smith and Oke.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5082 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Conner, Owen, Snyder, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:January 29, 1991; January 31, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Persons who operate as salmon fishing guides in freshwater rivers and streams are not required to be licensed as guides.

Some people would like to license salmon fishing guides.

SUMMARY:

A professional salmon guide license is created.  Guiding for salmon in freshwater streams or rivers requires the guide license at a cost of $50 for residents and $500 for nonresidents.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A surcharge of $20 is levied on resident guides and $100 on nonresident guides for the purposes of funding regional fisheries enhancement groups.  Surcharges are in addition to the proposed guide license fees.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested January 23, 1991

TESTIMONY FOR:

Bill would provide increased funding and prevent some illegal activities.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Senator L. Smith; Mel Gruelle, Sr., river fishing guide; Pat Files, river fishing outfitter; Susan Markey, Dept. of Fisheries; Jim King, WA State Sports Council