HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5253

                  As Passed House‑Amended:

                       April 11,  1997

Title:  An act relating to nonresident juvenile fishing licenses.

Brief Description:  Allowing nonresidents under the age of fifteen to obtain a free fishing license.

Sponsors:  Senators Strannigan, Oke, Hargrove, Roach, Morton, Swecker, Horn and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/21/97, 4/3/97 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House-Amended:  4/11/97, 97‑0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Buck, Chairman; Sump, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Regala, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Anderson and Hatfield.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Chandler; Pennington and Sheldon.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  A game fish license entitles a person to fish for trout.  Resident youths under 15 years of age are not required to have a game fish license.  Nonresident youths under 15 years of age are required to pay $20 for a game fish license.

Summary of Bill:  A game fish license is not required for nonresidents under the age of 15, if the youth is fishing with an adult who holds a current game fish license.  The total catch limited for the youth and adult fishing on one license is the total number of fish allowed by one license.  A non-resident under 15 must pay $20 for a game fish license if the youth is not fishing with a licensed adult or if the youth wishes to have a complete catch limit.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For: The bill will encourage juvenile fishing and have a very minor fiscal impact.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Evan Jacoby, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (pro).