SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6300

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, January 28, 2002

Ways & Means, February 6, 2002

Title:  An act relating to requiring recreational fishing licenses.

Brief Description:  Requiring a recreational fishing license for smelt.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Oke and Morton; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  1/23/02, 1/28/02 [DPS-WM]

Ways & Means:  2/5/02, 2/6/02 [DPS (NPS), DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6300 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Oke and Spanel.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6300 as recommended by Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Brown, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Fraser, Kline, Kohl‑Welles, Long, Parlette, Rasmussen, Rossi, Sheahan, B. Sheldon, Spanel, Thibaudeau and Winsley.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Honeyford.

Staff:  Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background:  Recreational smelt fisheries occur in freshwater and saltwater areas for several different smelt species.

A fishing license is not currently required for recreational smelt fishing.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to fund its smelt management program by requiring fishers to purchase a recreational fishing license for smelt fishing.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Smelt fishers must have a recreational fishing license.  Current license fees are:

ResidentNonresident

Freshwater   $20    $40

Saltwater     18       36

Combination     36      72

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Smelt fishers must have a recreational fishing license except when fishing in a one-day derby sponsored by a nonprofit community organization.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For (Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines):  Funds generated from recreational license sales to smelt fishers would help support smelt fishery management costs.

Testimony Against (Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines):  None.

Testified (Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines):  Frank Hawley, Bill Tweit, Fish and Wildlife (pro).

Testimony For (Ways & Means):  The revenue created by this bill will replace federal and local sources that are no longer provided.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means):  None.

Testified (Ways & Means):  Rich Lincoln, Department of Fish and Wildlife (pro).