SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5500

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES,

                               FEBRUARY 18, 1991

Brief Description:  Enhancing game fish resources.

SPONSORS:Senators Owen, Conner and Hansen.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5500 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Conner, Owen, Patterson, and Snyder. 

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:February 18, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Regional fisheries enhancement groups were created by 2SSB 6310 in 1990.  These groups were designed to foster involvement of local citizens in food fish enhancement and restoration projects.

Persons interested in game fish restoration would like to develop similar regional enhancement groups.

SUMMARY:

Nonprofit regional game fish enhancement groups are authorized.  Funding is provided by a surcharge of $1 on each game fish license and steelhead catch record card, and by a $50 surcharge on each game fish guide license.  A seven-member regional game fish advisory board is created.  The board shall review project proposals and make recommendations on funding.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Regional game fish enhancement groups shall be encouraged to develop in each general region of the state.  The Wildlife Commission shall be involved in the regional game fish enhancement group program.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested February 12, 1991

TESTIMONY FOR:

The program would increase game fish at a very low cost utilizing volunteers.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The surcharge on game fish licenses could depress the sale of game fish licenses and adversely affect the funding of the Department of Wildlife.

TESTIFIED:  Tom Mail, Quinault Nation Off Reservation Fish Commission (pro); Diane M. Ellison, Grays Harbor Fisheries Enhancement (pro); Tom Pentt, Grays Harbor Fisheries Enhancement Task Force (pro); Barry Jenkins, Trout Unlimited (pro); Pam Madsen, Department of Wildlife (con); Bill Jones, Wildcat Steelhead Club (pro)