SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1524

                     As of March 17, 1997

Title:  An act relating to commercial salmon fishery licenses.

Brief Description:  Allowing commercial salmon fishers to forego an annual season at a reduced fee.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Alexander, Linville, Kessler, DeBolt, Buck, Hatfield, Doumit, Costa, Anderson, Pennington, Constantine, Blalock, Gardner, Sullivan, Lantz and Morris).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks: 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Staff:  Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background:  Currently, no new commercial salmon fishing licenses may be issued.  A person may renew an existing license only if the person held a license during the previous year or acquired a license by transfer from a prior license holder.  The deadline for renewal is December 31 of the license year.

The prior license requirement can be waived if the department does not allow any opportunity for a commercial fishery or if, during the calendar year, no harvest opportunity occurs in the corresponding fishery.  License fees are refunded if the department does not allow an opportunity for a commercial fishery

Similarly, no new salmon charter boat licenses may be issued.  A person may renew an existing license only if the person held a license during the previous year or acquired a license by transfer from a prior license holder.

The prior salmon charter boat license requirement can be waived only if, during the calendar year, no harvest opportunity occurs in the corresponding fishery.

Summary of Bill:  If a commercial salmon fishing license holder notifies the department by May 1 that he or she will not participate in the fishery during that calendar year and pays the $100 enhancement surcharge plus an additional $15 handling charge, a commercial salmon fishing license may be renewed the following year.

If a salmon charter boat license holder notifies the department by May 1 that he or she will not participate in the fishery during that calendar year and pays the $100 enhancement surcharge plus an additional $15 handling charge, a salmon charter boat license may be renewed the following year.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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