FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1498

C 306 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring holders of fish and wildlife licenses purchased over the internet or telephone to provide enforcement officers with photo identification.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Jackley and Pearson; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife).

House Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines

Background:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is authorized to issue licenses for various activities involving fish and wildlife.  A WDFW license is required to hunt for wild animals or birds, to fish, or to harvest shellfish or seaweed.  A non-transferable recreational  license may be purchased through one of the WDFW=s many authorized dealers throughout the state.  The authorized dealer collects the license fee, verifies identification, and provides the paper license to the customer.  Beginning in May 2001, the WDFW plans to offer licenses for sale over the internet and telephone.  Customers purchasing their license in this way are not required to provide photo identification at the time of purchase.

Enforcement officers employed by the WDFW are authorized to temporarily stop a person who is engaged in hunting or fishing activities in order to check for valid licenses, tags, permits, stamps, or catch records.  If the person is detained while in the process of fishing or harvesting shellfish or seaweed, the officer may require the person to provide a signature for comparison with the signature on the license.  The enforcement officers have no authority to ask for photo identification.

Summary:

A person engaged in hunting or fishing may be required to exhibit photo identification to a WDFW enforcement officer if the person purchased his or her hunting or fishing license over the internet or telephone and the person is 18 years of age or older.  The enforcement officer may also require a person hunting to provide a signature for comparison to the signature on his or her license.

Votes on Final Passage:

House930

Senate470(Senate amended)

House(House refused to concur)

Senate430    (Senate receded)

Effective:  July 22, 2001