HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESB 6277

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to vouchers for game fish licenses.

Brief Description:  Providing vouchers for game fish licenses.

Sponsors:  Senator Drew.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  2/21/96 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Fuhrman, Chairman; Buck, Vice Chairman; Pennington, Vice Chairman; Basich, Ranking Minority Member; Regala, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Beeksma; Elliot; Hatfield; Jacobsen; Keiser; Sheldon; B. Thomas; L. Thomas and Thompson.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  Under current law, fishers who turn in steelhead catch record cards within a specified time period receive a $5 rebate on certain fishing and hunting licenses.  The $5 rebate can be applied to certain license or tag purchases that are  made on the day the catch record card is turned in.  

Legislation enacted in 1994 established a steelhead fishing license.  The license is administered on a calendar-year basis.  Steelhead catch record cards are administered on a May-to-April basis, which corresponds to the timing of the summer and winter steelhead runs.  Due to reporting and allocation needs, the agency decided to leave the catch record under the May-April administrative cycle.  As a result of having different administrative cycles for steelhead licenses and catch record cards, a steelhead fisher who turns in a catch record will generally not be able to take advantage of the $5 rebate.

Persons who fished for steelhead in 1994 were required to purchase catch record cards.  The fee for the card was $18.  In January 1995, steelhead fishers were required to purchase the newly created steelhead fishing licenses.  The fee for the license is $18.  A number of steelhead fishers have expressed concern that they were being charged twice for the months of January through April.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The department must issue a $5 credit toward the following year's steelhead fishing license to a person who returns a steelhead catch record card to the department.

Persons who purchased a 1995 steelhead fishing license are eligible to receive a one-time $6 credit toward the purchase of a 1997 steelhead fishing license.  Persons who purchased a 1995 juvenile steelhead fishing license are eligible to receive a one-time $2 credit toward the purchase of the appropriate steelhead fishing license.  To receive a credit, a person must return a 1995 steelhead fishing license to the department or sign an affidavit stating that the person did purchase a 1995 steelhead fishing license.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Bill:  The striking amendment is identical to SHB 2169.  The striking amendment is substantially similar to the Senate bill but differs in three minor respects.  The striking amendment allows a one-time $6 credit when a 1995 license is presented or an affidavit is signed; the Senate bill also provides the credit if a catch record card is presented.  The striking amendment has an expiration date for the section allowing the one-time credit; the Senate bill does not.  The striking amendment allows a fisher to receive a $5 credit on next year's fishing license by applying to the department; the Senate bill directs vendors to provide the credit.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.