FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5017

                          C 227 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing commercial fishery license fee and renewal provisions for years with no fishing season.

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

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Natural Resources

Background:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife's director does not have clear authority to refuse to collect or to refund license fees for a commercial fishery if the department does not allow a fishing season.  With the moratoriums in effect for several commercial fisheries, it is necessary to provide that the failure to fish for a year will not invalidate a person's ability to receive licenses in subsequent years.

Summary:  If the Department of Fish and Wildlife does not allow a commercial fishing season during a license year, the department may either waive the license fee for a commercial fishery or may refund the commercial fishery license fee that has been paid.

If a person with a commercial license does not fulfill poundage or landing requirements during the license year because the department does not allow a fishing season, the future renewal of a person's commercial fish license is not affected.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    48 1

House     96 1 (House amended)

Senate    46 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 23, 1995