FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6341

                          C 267 L 98

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Allowing certain charter boats to be operated by persons without an alternate operator=s license in specific circumstances.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senator Snyder).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

House Committee on Natural Resources

Background:  A commercial license is required to engage in the operation of a charter boat.  When applying for a commercial license to operate a charter boat, the applicant may designate a vessel and up to two alternate operators.  A person who is not the holder of the commercial charter boat license may operate the vessel designated on the license only if (1) the person holds an alternative operator license, and (2) the person is designated as an alternative operator on the underlying commercial charter boat license.

Summary:  Licensed charter boat operators are permitted to designate persons who do not have an alternative operator=s license to operate their charter boats.  The applicant for a commercial charter boat license need not designate a vessel to be used with the license or designate an alternative operator at the time of application.  A person designated by a commercial charter boat license holder is not required to hold an alternative operator=s license or to be designated on the underlying license as an alternative operator in order to operate the charter boat.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     97 0 (House amended)

Senate    46 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  April 1, 1998