FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5626

                          C 114 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing game transport tags at no cost in order to meet harvest management goals.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Hargrove, Swecker, Hochstatter, Stevens, Schow, Strannigan and Anderson.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

House Committee on Natural Resources

Background:  A transport tag is required of persons who hunt black bear and cougar.  The resident fee for a bear tag is $18.  A cougar tag is $24 for residents.

The passage of Initiative 655 prohibits hound and bait hunting for bear and cougar.  There is concern that bear and cougar populations will increase and cause damage to game populations and livestock.

Issuance of transport tags at no cost or waiving transport tag requirements will result in greater harvest levels for black bear and cougar.

Summary:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission may reduce the fee for black bear and cougar transport tags.  If the commission decides to make black bear and cougar tags available at no cost, then the commission may waive the requirement for transport tags.  Reduction in tag fees, or elimination of transport tag requirements, must be only for the purpose of achieving harvest management goals.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 45 0

House     96 0

Effective:  July 27, 1997