SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6206

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 8, 1994

Brief Description:  Creating the warm water game fish enhancement program.

SPONSORS: Senators Owen, Oke, Hargrove, Erwin and Haugen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6206 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, L. Smith and Spanel.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:  January 21, 1994; January 28, 1994

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6206 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Ludwig, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Pelz, Snyder, Spanel, Talmadge, West and Wojahn.

Staff:  Cindi Yates (786-7715)

Hearing Dates: February 7, 1994; February 8, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Wildlife manages warm water game fish.  Warm water fish species in Washington include:  bass, catfish, crappie, perch, bluegill, walleye, pumpkinseed, sunfish and others.  These fish do not receive a great deal of management emphasis from the department.

The creation of a warm water fish enhancement program would increase the fishing opportunities for warm water fish.

SUMMARY:

A warm water game fish enhancement program is created within the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  A combined approach of habitat improvement and fish culture will be utilized to improve warm water fish populations.  The new program will be funded by a warm water fish stamp with an annual fee of $10, and by a prorated share of the game fishing license attributable to warm water fishermen.  A dedicated account is established in the state wildlife fund, subject to legislative appropriation.

The warm water fish stamp takes effect January 1, 1995.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The warm water stamp is changed to a surcharge, with an annual fee of $5.  Persons over 70 years old will be required to pay a $1 surcharge.  Persons under 15 years old may fish for warm water fish for free.  The warm water program will be restricted to bass, channel catfish, crappie, walleye and tiger musky.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

Language is deleted requiring the share of the game fish license attributable to warm water fishers be transferred from the wildlife account to the new dedicated account.  Language is added which states that the director shall make every effort to divide equitably the revenue raised from the basic game fish license among fish programs receiving funds from the basic game fish license.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested

Effective Date:  July 1, 1994, except for fees which are effective January 1, 1995.

TESTIMONY FOR (Natural Resources):

A program for enhancing warm water fish will improve fishing opportunities.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Natural Resources):  None

TESTIFIED (Natural Resources):  PRO:  Dick Streator, Western Bass Club; Cliff Kuppinger, Pat McLain, Dept. of Wildlife

TESTIMONY FOR (Ways & Means):

This bill will enhance the warm water fishery and improve fishing opportunities in this state.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Ways & Means):  None

TESTIFIED (Ways & Means):  PRO:  Dick Streater, Western Bass Club; Frank Stricklin, WA State BASS; Bruce Crawford, WA Dept. of Wildlife