SB 6125-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Revises fee structure for a personal use food fish license.

     Requires a license to harvest seaweed.

     Authorizes the issuance of a recreational hunting and fishing license without charge to honorably discharged veterans with a thirty percent or more service-connected disability.

     Establishes the conditions for the issuance of duplicate licenses, permits, tags, stamps, and catch record cards.

     Revises requirements for the issuance of steelhead fishing licenses.

     Creates a sport recreational license as a single document to be all-inclusive of other hunting and fishing licenses.

     Provides that licenses issued by the department of fisheries and the department of wildlife are valid until the stated expiration date.

VETO MESSAGE ON SB 6125-S

                   April 1, 1994

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6125 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the creation of a combined recreational fish and hunting license document;"

     Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6125 creates a sports recreational license that combines recreational fishing and hunting licenses and consolidates license categories into one document.  These changes will provide more efficient service and will be less confusing to the public.

     However, sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6125 would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife to create an expanded warm-water fisheries enhancement program financed by a new $5.00 (five dollar) fee to be imposed on those who fish for most species of warm-water fish.

     In a time of fiscal constraint, I do not think it is wise to increase the cost of fishing licenses.  Beyond that, in a time of problems emerging from endangered-species findings, from declining cold-water fisheries, from habitat loss, and from a host of other difficulties afflicting our fish and wildlife, I do not believe it is wise to earmark another fee to support only one program in the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The newly merged department already has a great number of special, earmarked funding mechanisms.  Until there is a general review of the new department's programs and funding needs, I hesitate to establish yet another fund, and with it a new fisheries program.  For these reasons, I am vetoing sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21.

     With the exception of sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6125 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor