SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5079

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 4, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying conditions for the digging of razor clams for persons who have physical disability permits.

SPONSORS: Senators Owen, Snyder, Hargrove and Erwin.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Erwin, Franklin, Oke, L. Smith, and Snyder.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates: February 3, 1993

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

BACKGROUND:

Physically disabled persons may have another person dig razor clams for them if they have a physical disability permit issued by the Department of Fisheries.  The department requires the disabled person to be present at the digging site when another person digs razor clams for them.

Some physically disabled persons are not able to be at the digging site and desire to have someone harvest clams for them while they are on the upper beach area.

SUMMARY:

Physically disabled persons are not required to be at the digging site when another person is digging razor clams for them.  The physically disabled person must be within one mile of the digging site.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

It is not possible for certain physically disabled persons to be present at the razor clam digging site.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

There would be difficulties in enforcing the razor clam regulations if this bill were enacted.

TESTIFIED:  Keith McDonald (pro); Dave Ludwig (pro); Ken Lindstrom (pro); George Caldwell (pro); Janice Skinner, Active Disabled of Grays Harbor (pro); Ed Manary (con), Dana Mathews (con), Dept. of Fisheries

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

The disabled person is required to be within the direct line of sight of the razor clam digger, unless an obstruction that would prevent the line of sight exists.  In this case, the disabled person would have to be within 1/4 mile of the person digging the clams.