FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5483

                          C 391 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Licensing whitewater river outfitters.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators Johnson, Oke, Snyder, Prentice, Kohl, Rossi, Spanel, Swecker and Schow).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

House Committee on Natural Resources

Background:  Whitewater river outfitters and guides may register with the Department of Licensing.  A whitewater outfitter and guide licensing program with minimum age, training and licensing requirements would provide for a more tightly regulated whitewater rafting industry.

Summary:  A whitewater river outfitters license is created.  Persons who operate as whitewater outfitters must be licensed, hire trained guides, carry sufficient insurance, and comply with equipment and training requirements established in statute.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 45 4

House     87 11 (House amended)

Senate    37 6 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 27, 1997

          January 1, 1998 (Sections 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8)