SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1226

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Natural Resources, March 23, 1995

Title:  An act relating to salmon charter licenses.

Brief Description:  Authorizing shellfish to be taken under a salmon charter license.

Sponsors:  Representatives Buck, Basich, Fuhrman and Kessler; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  3/21/95, 3/23/95 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; A. Anderson, Hargrove, Haugen, Morton, Oke, Owen, Snyder, Strannigan and Swecker.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  A charter boat is defined as a boat from which people can, for a fee, fish for food fish or shellfish for personal use.  There are two kinds of charter boats:  salmon charter boats and nonsalmon charter boats.  Passengers on salmon charter boats are allowed to fish for salmon and other food fish.  Passengers on nonsalmon charter boats may fish for other food fish or shellfish but not for salmon.

Current law precludes people from fishing for shellfish from a salmon charter boat.

Summary of Bill:  The statute is amended to provide that a salmon charter boat license allows for the taking of shellfish in addition to salmon and other food fish.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 26, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  Salmon charter boat anglers should be able to fish for shellfish during charter boat trips.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ed Manary, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (pro).