SB 5104-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Creates within the department the eastern Washington pheasant enhancement program with the purpose of improving the harvest of pheasants by releasing pen-reared rooster pheasants on sites accessible for public hunting and by providing grants for habitat enhancement on public or private lands under agreement with the department.

     Authorizes the department to utilize moneys from the eastern Washington pheasant surcharge for purposes of improving pheasant habitat, if appropriated.

     Requires the commission to establish special pheasant hunting opportunities for juvenile hunters in eastern Washington for the 1998 season and future seasons.

     Provides that, beginning September 1, 1997, a person who hunts for pheasant in eastern Washington must pay an annual surcharge of ten dollars, in addition to other licensing requirements.  Funds from the surcharge must be deposited in the eastern Washington pheasant enhancement account.

     Directs the department of fish and wildlife to jointly investigate with the department of corrections the feasibility of producing pheasants for the eastern Washington pheasant enhancement program utilizing inmate labor and facilities at the Walla Walla state penitentiary.

     Requires the departments to report their findings to the senate and house of representatives natural resources committees on or before January 1, 1998.