SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5103

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Natural Resources & Parks, February 7, 1997

Title:  An act relating to commercial fishery licenses.

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

Sponsors:  Senators Oke and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  1/16/97, 2/7/97 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5103 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Morton, Prentice, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  Current law allows commercial fishers and charter boat license holders up to two alternate operators who may operate the vessel.

Allowing more alternate operators will give commercial fishers and charter boat owners more opportunities to designate persons to operate their boats.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Alternate operators are allowed for commercial fishing licenses, delivery licenses, and charter boat licenses on a case-by-case basis to be determined by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The statutory change to allow up to four alternate operators per license is removed and authority is given to the Fish and Wildlife Commission to grant additional operator licenses.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Some commercial fishers and charter boat operators wish to have the increased operating flexibility of more additional operators.

Testimony Against:  Abuses occurred in the alternate operator system before it was limited to two per license.

Testified:  Bruce Crawford, Fish & Wildlife; Karla Kay Fullerton, WA Cattlemen=s Assn.