SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5253

                As Passed Senate, March 6, 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 & Parks:  2/7/97, 2/14/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/6/97, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background:  Current law requires nonresident youths under 15 years of age to pay $20 for a fishing license for game fish.  Resident youths under 15 years of age are not required to have a fishing license.

Summary of Bill:  A fishing license is not required for residents or nonresidents under the age of 15.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 27, 1997.

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

Testimony For:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife supports the bill because it is impractical to enforce the law as it is.  The fiscal impact is minor.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rick Abbot, Trout Unlimited; Brian Edie, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

House Amendment(s):  Nonresident juveniles under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, with a valid Washington fishing license, to qualify for exemption from the nonresident fishing license fee  The total catch limit is the limit imposed by the accompanying adult=s fishing license.  If the nonresident juvenile is not accompanied by an adult with a fishing license or if the nonresident juvenile desires an independent catch limit, the license fee remains $20.