SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5428

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

     Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, March 1, 1999

Title:  An act relating to state purchase of privately grown trout for planting in state waters.

Brief Description:  Establishing a program to purchase and plant privately grown trout.

Sponsors:  Senators T. Sheldon, Swecker, Snyder, McDonald, Oke, Morton, McAuliffe, Stevens, Deccio, Hargrove, McCaslin, B. Sheldon, Zarelli, Bauer, Horn, Shin, Roach, Winsley, West, Hochstatter and Sellar.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  2/3/99, 3/1/99 [DPS-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5428 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Oke, Rossi, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  Private fish farmers have provided trout to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for planting public freshwater lakes.  In one instance, large-sized catchable trout were provided at a cost of $2 per fish.  These trout provided enhanced fishing success at a reasonable cost.  Opportunities exist for private production of triploid (sterile) trout that have the ability to grow to trophy size, provide quality recreation and supplement existing department trout hatchery programs.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission may institute a program to purchase catchable-sized trout from private fish farmers for planting in public lakes and ponds.  Up to 100,000 trout may be purchased in 1999 and up to one million in the year 2000.

Purchase of privately grown trout may not occur if department operated hatchery programs are funded below the 1997 level.  A null and void clause and an emergency clause are included.  Trout purchases must be delivered by the contractor.  Trout purchases must be from Washington fish farmers where possible.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission may purchase trout rather than being required to do so.  Specific funding for purchase of trout must be provided or the act is nullified.  Department operated hatcheries must be funded at 1997 levels or trout purchases cannot occur.  Trout are to be purchased from Washington fish farmers where possible and the trout are to be delivered by the contractor to the area they will be planted.  An emergency clause is added.

Appropriation:  $3,000,000 general fund-state.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 26, 1999.

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

Testimony For:  The trout purchased in 1998 were well received by the public and the program should be expanded.

Testimony Against:  Private trout purchases should be from additional appropriations and they should not compete for funds to run department operated hatcheries.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Swecker; Jim Barfoot, Jim Zimmerman, WA Fish Growers, Troutlodge; Bruce Crawford, WDFW; Diane Nelson, Colville Tribe; Barb Lindsay, NSIA.