SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5184

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Natural Resources & Parks, February 21, 1997

                  Ways & Means, March 7, 1997

Title:  An act relating to recreational fishing licenses.

Brief Description:  Authorizing an additional rod recreational fishing license.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  1/28/97, 2/21/97 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means:  3/6/97, 3/7/97 [DP2S].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5184 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5184 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Brown, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786-7708)

Background:  Recreational fishers are limited to one fishing rod at a time.

Some fishers may wish to utilize two fishing rods at the same time.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:  A recreational fisher may utilize two fishing rods at a time for food fish by paying an additional $15 annual cost in marine areas and for species approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.  Funds from the two rod license are dedicated to juvenile fishing programs.

Second Substitute Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The annual cost of an additional rod license is raised from $5 to $15.  Revenue from the additional rod license may be spent only after appropriation.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill authorizes an additional rod license for food fish only.  Game fish are not included.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For (Natural Resource & Parks):  An additional rod license will provide more fishing opportunity without changing catch limits.  Funds from the license will help juvenile programs.

Testimony Against (Natural Resource & Parks):  None.

Testified (Natural Resource & Parks):  Terry Oxley, Fish & Wildlife; Linda deBord, Port Angeles Assn. of Realtors.

Testimony For (Ways & Means):  An additional rod license will provide more fishing opportunity without changing catch limits.  Funds from the license will help juvenile programs.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means):  None.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Senator Pam Roach, prime sponsor (pro); Brian Edie, Department of Fish and Wildlife (pro).