SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6533

              As Passed Senate, February 6, 1996

Title:  An act relating to auctions and raffles authorized by the fish and wildlife commission.

Brief Description:  Authorizing raffles for hunting of game animals.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Oke, Bauer, Sutherland and Hochstatter; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  1/30/96, 2/1/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/6/96, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6533 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 Fish and Wildlife Commission is not currently authorized to raffle permits for big game and wild turkey hunts.  The commission has limited authority to authorize auctions for issuance of specialized post-mature trophy-quality animals.

The department entered into an agreement with Champion International which authorized raffles for big game and animal hunts for which it was not authorized.

Summary of Bill:  Private landholders with wildlife management agreements may hold raffles for big game animals and wild turkeys if approved by the commission.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 26, 1996.

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

Testimony For:  Raffles will provide revenue for the department and for private landowners that can be used to improve conditions for wildlife.

Testimony Against:  There is concern that the department may be incurring additional costs due to the raffle program, and it is not clear to what degree the program is of benefit.

Testified:  Terry Hunt, FNAWS (pro); Tim Boyd, WFPA (pro); Jack Ward, Champion International (pro); Ed Manary, Department of Fish and Wildlife (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The Fish and Wildlife Commission may authorize the hunting of big game and wild turkeys through permits issued by a raffle process.  Revenues generated by raffles are to be used for conservation of the species being raffled.