SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6353

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, February 6, 2002

Ways & Means, February 12, 2002

Title:  An act relating to migratory bird stamps.

Brief Description:  Increasing the fee for the migratory bird stamp from six dollars to eight dollars.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Oke and Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  1/31/02, 2/6/02 [DPS‑WM, DNP].

Ways & Means:  2/11/02, 2/12/02 [DP2S].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6353 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Poulsen, Vice Chair; Hargrove, McDonald, Oke, Snyder and Spanel.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Morton and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6353 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background:  Current fees for a Washington State migratory bird stamp are $6 for both hunters and collectors.

The migratory bird stamp requirement was created in 1985, at which time the fee was $5.  The fee was last increased from $5 to $6 in 1991.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:  The fee for a Washington State migratory bird stamp is increased from $6 to $10 for both hunters and collectors.  Migratory bird stamp funds may not be used on private hunting clubs or on lands that charge a fee for access.

Second Substitute Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Technical corrections are made to reflect that revenue may come from the license validation in addition to the stamp.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The fees are increased to $10 rather than $8 for a migratory bird stamp.  Language is added to prevent use of migratory bird stamp funds on private hunting clubs or lands that charge for access.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 21, 2002.

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

Testimony For:  Migratory bird hunters support higher stamp fees in order to improve waterfowl habitat.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Ed Owens, Hunters Heritage Council; Rob Kavanaugh; Joan Arrabito, WA Waterfowl Assn.; Johnny R. Walker, WA State Migratory Waterfowl Art Committee; Steve Pozzanghera, Don Kraege, WDFW.