HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5020

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to recreational licenses.

Brief Description:  Allowing dealers of recreational licenses to collect a fee of at least two dollars for each license sold.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/30/99, 4/2/99 [DPA];

Appropriations:  4/5/99 [DPA(NR)].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

            (As Amended by House Committee)

$A minimum $2 dealer fee is required for issuing a recreational hunting or fishing license. 

$A transaction fee pertaining to automated licensing system services is authorized.

$The two-day personal use shellfish and seaweed license fee is reinstated.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Buck, Republican Co-Chair; Regala, Democratic Co-Chair; Anderson, Democratic Vice Chair; G. Chandler; Clements; Doumit; Eickmeyer; Ericksen; Pennington; Rockefeller and Stensen.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Sump, Republican Vice Chair.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:

The Fish and Wildlife Commission adopts rules for the issuance of recreational licenses, permits, tags, stamps, and raffle tickets, and for the payment of dealers' fees.  The fees retained by dealers must be uniform throughout the state.  Dealers are currently authorized to retain a license fee of $1 for each recreational license sold.  The dealer's fee is a fee paid in addition to the cost of the license.

A fee is charged for an annual personal use shellfish and seaweed license.  The license fee for a two-day personal use shellfish and seaweed license was removed in the 1998 legislative session.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife must authorize dealers to collect and retain at least $2 for each recreational hunting and fishing license issued.  This $2 dealer fee applies to the standard hunting or fishing recreational license document.  The Fish and Wildlife Commission may set a transaction fee on recreational licenses to be collected from licensees.  The department may authorize all or part of the transaction fee be paid directly to a contractor providing automated licensing system services.

The license fee for a two-day personal use shellfish and seaweed license is reinstated.  The fee is $6 for residents or nonresidents 15 years of age or older. 

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:   Language is added to clarify to which licenses the minimum $2 dealers' fee applies.  The authorization for the dealers' fee is changed from the commission to the department.  The two-day personal use shellfish and seaweed license fee is reinstated.  A transaction fee pertaining to automated licensing system services is authorized.  An emergency clause is added. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:   (Original bill)  It takes one-half hour for a dealer to fill out the necessary forms.  The minimum $2 fee will allow dealers to break even.  The number of dealers is dropping.  A dealer is also required to attend meetings so they can tell people where to hunt and fish.  If a customer uses a bank card, the dealer loses 2 percent on the transaction.  Dealers generate much money for the state.  The department has improved its relationship with the dealers.

Testimony Against: (Original bill)  The bill should contain an emergency clause to become effective right away.  The bill should reestablish the personal use shellfish and seaweed fee that was eliminated last year.

Testified:  (In support)  Tim Smith, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Barbara Lindsay, Northwest Sportsfishing Industry Association; and Mellonie Rongey, dealer.

  (In support with concerns)  Milton Gudgell, citizen.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Natural Resources.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives Huff, Republican Co-Chair; H. Sommers, Democratic Co-Chair; Alexander, Republican Vice Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; D. Schmidt, Republican Vice Chair; Boldt; Carlson; Clements; Cody; Gombosky; Grant; Kagi; Keiser; Kenney; Kessler; Lambert; Linville; Lisk; Mastin; McIntire; Regala; Rockefeller; Ruderman; Sullivan; Tokuda and Wensman.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 6 members:  Representatives Barlean; Benson; Crouse; McMorris; Mulliken and Parlette.

Staff:  Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Natural Resources:  No new changes were recommended.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This bill represents two main themes: 1) there is a high respect for

dealers ; and 2) it clarifies the role of the dealer and the transaction fees.  This is better for the buying public and the agency to conduct business.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dave Brittell, Department of Fish & Wildlife.