SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5012

                As Passed Senate, March 2, 1995

Title:  An act relating to transfer of fishery licenses.

Brief Description:  Revising the fee for transfer of fishery licenses.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senator Snyder).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  1/17/95, 1/27/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/2/95, 47-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5012 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  Transfer of commercial fishing licenses was made subject to a transfer fee of three and one-half times the resident renewal fee by legislation in 1993.

Commercial fishers who transfer their fishing licenses do not wish to be charged a transfer fee that is greater than the amount necessary to cover administrative costs.

Summary of Bill:  The commercial fishing license transfer fee is reduced from three and one-half times the resident renewal fee to $50.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 11, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  The transfer fee is onerous and should be reduced.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ed Manary, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Mark Cedergreen, Westport Charter Association; Don Stuart, Salmon for Washington; Ed Owen, Coalition of WA Coastal Fishermen; Gary Hall, fisherman.

House Amendment(s):  Commercial salmon fishing license transfer fees are reduced to $50.  Other limited entry fishery license transfer fees, such as salmon charter boats, herring, crab, sea urchin, ocean pink shrimp, and emerging fisheries are not reduced.