SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1498

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, March 21, 2001

Title:  An act relating to photo identification required for hunting and fishing licenses.

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 (co-prime sponsor) and Pearson (co‑prime sponsor); by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  3/19/01, 3/21/01 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Constantine, Hargrove, McDonald, Oke, Snyder and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Background:  Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is authorized by the state to issue licenses for various activities involving fish and wildlife.  A WDFW license is required to hunt for wild animals, birds, harvest fish, shellfish or seaweed.  A non-transferable recreational  license may currently be purchased through one of 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 of this year, the WDFW plans to offer licenses for sale over the internet and telephone.  Customers purchasing their licenses 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 of Amended Bill:  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.  The enforcement officer may also require a person hunting to provide a signature for comparison to the signature on his or her license.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The exemption for persons younger than 18 years is removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The enforcement officers of the Department of Fish and Wildlife need this authority in order to verify the identity of persons who purchase their license over the internet or with telephone license purchases.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Bruce Crawford, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; Bruce Bjork, WDFW.