SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6342

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Natural Resources & Parks, February 5, 1998

                Ways & Means, February 10, 1998

Title:  An act relating to sale of salmon eggs.

Brief Description:  Requiring salmon eggs to be utilized in the cultivation of salmon.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, Swecker and Spanel.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  1/29/98 2/5/98 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means:  2/10/98 [DPS (NRP)].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6342 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, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6342 as recommended by Committee on Natural Resources & Parks be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Fraser, Hochstatter, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife can dispose of salmon eggs, fry and carcasses by sale.  Money from the sale of eggs and carcasses is placed in the general fund.  The sale of eggs and carcasses has been declining in recent years. 

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Because of the depleted nature in salmon and steelhead trout stocks and the 1997 listing under the federal Endangered Species Act of upriver Columbia steelhead trout, the department must utilize all salmon and steelhead trout eggs within the department=s possession for the purchase of salmon and steelhead population rehabilitation and enhancement when endangered species listing guidelines for both the state and for the tribal fisheries.

The department is strictly prohibited from selling or transferring to any other entity salmon or steelhead trout eggs or females containing eggs if the eggs are not to be utilized for rehabilitation and enhancement.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The policy is coordinated with the federal Endangered Species Act requirements.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 1998.

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

Testimony For:  All healthy eggs should be used to propagate salmon either in hatcheries or in the wild.  Numerous volunteer groups can help the department raise and distribute eggs and fry.

Testimony Against:  The proposal needs to be coordinated with the federal Endangered Species Act requirements.

Testified (Natural Resources & Parks):  PRO:  Shari Stoican, PSA; Stan Hollingworth, GH Gillnetters; Ed Owens, commercial fishing; CON:  Larry Peck, WDFW.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Larry Peck, WDFW (pro).