SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5013

              As Passed Senate, February 13, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the definition of food fish and enhanced food fish.

Brief Description:  Excluding all species of tuna, mackerel, and jack from the definitions of food fish and enhanced food fish.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  1/17/95, 1/31/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/13/95, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5013 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Hargrove, Haugen, Morton, Oke, Snyder and Strannigan.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  Tuna, mackerel and jack are pelagic fish species that are not managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Commercial landings of tuna, mackerel, and jack are subject to a 2.1 percent excise tax, and a delivery license of $50 for residents or $100 for nonresidents.

Summary of Bill:  Landings of tuna, mackerel, and jack are not subject to landing taxes or delivery license fees.  The department may collect data on tuna landings.

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 department is not managing these fish species, therefore no taxes should be assessed on their landings.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Cyreis Schmitt, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Ed Owens, Coalition of Washington Ocean Fishermen; Ernie Summers, WDCF; Darrel Potter, WFOA.