SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5101

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Natural Resources, January 27, 1995

Title:  An act relating to game fish catch record cards.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the director of fish and wildlife to administer game fish catch record cards.

Sponsors:  Senators Drew, Oke, Haugen and Winsley; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  1/13/95, 1/27/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5101 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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:  The requirements for steelhead trout catch record cards and steelhead fishing licenses are set in statute.  The statutes are duplicatory and two fees are charged.  The statute on catch record cards should be repealed to prevent charging steelhead fishers twice the intended fee.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is given the authority to regulate the administration of the steelhead trout catch record program. 

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The rebate program for timely catch record return is reinstated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The statute change is necessary to avoid a duplicate charge of steelhead fishers.

Testimony Against:  The entire license system is too complicated.

Testified:  Cyreis Schmitt, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Don Sawyer, Charter Boat Association of Puget Sound; Ken Ferguson, Charter Boat Association of Puget Sound; Milton Gudgell, Ilwaco Charters.