SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHB 2339

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 16, 1994

Brief Description:  Revising fees and procedures for recreational fish and hunting licenses.

SPONSORS: Representatives King, Foreman and Orr; by request of Department of Fisheries and Department of Wildlife

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON REVENUE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates: February 23, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife will merge into a single agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, effective July 1, 1994.  Currently, there are differences between the departments' sport licensing criteria and fees.  The departments have determined that standardizing certain fees and licensing requirements will result in less confusion for the public once the agencies merge.

Residency Requirements.  In order to qualify as a resident for purposes of obtaining a fishing or hunting license from the Department of Wildlife, one must have lived in Washington for at least 90 days immediately preceding the license application.  In order to qualify as a resident for purposes of obtaining a fishing license from the Department of Fisheries, one must have lived in Washington for "the preceding 90 days."

Angling Gear.  The statutory definition of angling gear limits the gear to no more than two single hooks or one artificial bait and not more than four multiple hooks.

Steelhead Licenses.  Currently, steelhead licenses do not exist; rather, a catch record card exists which accompanies a game fish license. 

Free Licenses: Disability Criteria for Veterans.  In order to qualify for a free game fish or hunting license from the Department of Wildlife, a person must be 65 or older and an honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected disability, and has to have resided in Washington for five years.

In order to qualify for a free food fish license from the Department of Fisheries, a person must be an honorably discharged veteran with a 30 percent service connected disability and who has resided in Washington for at least one year; or is an honorably discharged veteran, a resident of the state of Washington, with any service-connected disability and who is 65 years of age or older.

Free Licenses: Expiration.  Currently, free licenses issued by the Department of Fisheries are issued in perpetuity except to persons with certain disabilities, for which these licenses are issued for five years.  Free licenses issued by the Department of Wildlife are issued in perpetuity.

Fees.  Under current law, a game fish license issued by the Department of Wildlife is not required for those under age 15, and a free food fish license is issued by the Department of Fisheries to those age 70 and over.

Short-Term Fishing Licenses.  Under current law, the Department of Fisheries issues a two-day fishing license, while the Department of Wildlife issues a three-day fishing license.

Seaweed Licensing.  SSB 5056 was enacted in 1993, creating harvest limits for seaweed for personal use, and authorizing the Department of Fisheries to enforce these limits.  The Department of Fisheries believes that a seaweed license requirement would assist its enforcement efforts.

Duplicate Licenses.  The Department of Fisheries currently provides no duplicate license.  The Department of Wildlife provides duplicate licenses for $10.00.

SUMMARY:

Residency Requirements.  Residency requirements for food fish licenses are made compatible with those for game fish and hunting licenses; i.e., one must have been a resident of Washington for 90 days preceding the license application date in order to qualify.

Angling Gear.  The number of hooks as part of the angling gear definition is deleted.

Steelhead Licenses.  Steelhead licenses are created to replace the catch record cards, without a change in fees.

Free Licenses: Disability Criteria for Veterans.  The five-year residency requirement for honorably discharged veterans of 65 years of age or older, with a service connected disability, is removed for the purposes of obtaining a free game fish or hunting license.  Honorably discharged veterans with a service connected disability of 30 percent or more may be issued free game fish or hunting licenses.

The one year residency requirement for honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more is removed, for purposes of obtaining a free food fish license. 

Free Licenses: Expiration.  Free licenses must be renewed every five years.

Fees.  Nonresidents under age 15 will be charged $20.00 for a game fish license.

Persons age 70 and over will be charged $3.00 for a resident food fish license.

The regional fisheries enhancement group surcharge of $1.00 is reflected in the personal use food fish license prices.

Short-Term Fishing Licenses.  The term of the short-term fishing license is increased from two days to three days.  A one-day game fishing license is created, at a cost of $3.00 for residents and $7.00 for nonresidents.

Seaweed Licensing.  A seaweed license requirement is imposed for personal use seaweed harvest, as part of the "shellfish and seaweed" license.  Fees for this license are established as follows: $5.00 for residents 15-69 years of age, $3.00 for residents 70+ years of age, $20.00 for nonresidents, and $5.00 for a 3-day license. 

Duplicate Licenses.  The director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is directed to adopt rules to establish conditions for issuing duplicate licenses.  The fee for a duplicate license is the cost of the license up to a maximum of $10.00.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect January 1, 1995, except for Section 12, which takes effect July 1, 1994.