HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5103

                  As Passed House‑Amended:

                       April 14, 1997

Title:  An act relating to commercial fishery licenses.

Brief Description:  Increasing the number of alternate operators allowed under certain commercial fishery licenses.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators Oke and Winsley).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  4/2/97, 4/4/97 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House-Amended:  4/14/97, 92‑6.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Butler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Chandler; Hatfield; Pennington and Sheldon.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Anderson.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  Current law allows a person who holds a commercial fishery license, charter boat license, or delivery license to designate up to two alternate operators on a vessel.

An alternate operator is someone who controls fishing gear, operates a charter boat, or delivers fish or shellfish taken from offshore waters into a port within the state.

Summary of Bill:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission is authorized to increase the number of alternate operators on a vessel by rule.  This provision applies to vessels in which the primary operator holds a commercial fishery license, a charter boat license, or a delivery license.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Some vessels owners are having a hard time finding alternate operators.  Allowing a primary operator to designate more than two alternate operators will make it easier to find help.  The commission should develop criteria by rule as to when it is appropriate to designate more than two alternate operators.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Bob Oke, prime sponsor (pro); Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fisheries  (pro with minor amendment); and Brian Edie, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (neutral).