SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6343

                    As of January 23, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the prevention of wastage of viable salmon and trout eggs.

Brief Description:  Forbidding the waste or destruction of any salmon or trout life‑form.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, Swecker, Spanel and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  1/29/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife disposes of salmon eggs, fry and carcasses generally by sale.  Occasionally, other methods are used.  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 Bill:  The department must not kill, waste, discard, bury or otherwise harm salmon or trout eggs, fry, alevins, fingerlings, smolts, catchables, jacks, adults or any other life stage of a trout or salmon.  An exception is provided for salmon with a serious communicable fish disease that has been diagnosed in the population and recognized by the State Tribal Fish Health Committee.  The additional exception to the policy allows the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to dispose of fish which are in a terminal condition or if the director provides a written explanation on a case-by-case basis of the situation which would require the killing, wasting, discarding, burying or otherwise causing the fish not to be suitable for enhancement and restoration.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission must notify the Legislature of any action to destroy fish.  The notification must occur at least one month prior to proposed action.  It is unlawful for any department employee or any person involved in department authorized cooperative projects or regional enhancement groups to cause the killing, wasting, discarding, burying or harming of salmon or steelhead trout.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 1998.

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