SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2169

                    As of February 14, 1996

Title:  An act relating to steelhead catch record cards and licenses.

Brief Description:  Authorizing a credit toward next year's steelhead fishing license for prompt return of a steelhead catch record card.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Buck, Thompson, Pennington, Sheldon and Fuhrman).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  2/20/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Erika Lim (786-7488)

Background:  Steelhead licenses were administered by the former Department of Wildlife and were valid from May 1 until April 30.  When the Department of Wildlife merged with the Department of Fisheries in 1994, steelhead licenses were changed to be valid for a calendar year in order to be consistent with other licenses administered by the Department of Fisheries.  Persons who purchased steelhead licenses after May 1, 1995, received licenses that expired after 8 months instead of 12 months.

Summary of Bill:  Persons who purchased a 1995 steelhead license are issued a nontransferable $6 credit toward a 1997 steelhead license.  Juveniles who purchased a 1995 juvenile steelhead license are issued a nontransferable $2 credit toward a 1997 steelhead license.  Credits may be obtained by either returning a 1995 steelhead license to the department or by completing an affidavit provided by the department.  The credits are available through December 31, 1997.

Persons who return a steelhead catch record card to the department within 30 days of expiration are issued a nontransferable $5 credit toward the next year's steelhead license.  Lost, stolen, or destroyed credits are not replaced.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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