[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to personal use fishing license fees; amending RCW 77.32.470 and 77.32.520; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that revenue for the state general fund has declined and will not meet anticipated needs during current and future biennia. The legislature also finds that the cost of the resident and nonresident personal use temporary fishing license and the resident and nonresident personal use shellfish and seaweed license are undervalued, and are not properly aligned with neighboring states and provinces. Therefore, the legislature intends to increase personal use temporary fishing and personal use shellfish and seaweed licenses fees.

Sec. 2. RCW 77.32.470 and 1998 c 191 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A personal use saltwater, freshwater, combination, temporary, or family fishing weekend license is required for all persons fifteen years of age or older to fish for or possess fish taken for personal use from state waters or offshore waters.

(2) The fees for annual personal use saltwater, freshwater, or combination licenses are as follows:

(a) A combination license allows the holder to fish for or possess fish, shellfish, and seaweed from state waters or offshore waters. The fee for this license is thirty-six dollars for residents, seventy-two dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for youth.

(b) A saltwater license allows the holder to fish for or possess fish taken from saltwater areas. The fee for this license is eighteen dollars for residents, thirty-six dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for resident seniors.

(c) A freshwater license allows the holder to fish for, take, or possess food fish or game fish species in all freshwater areas. The fee for this license is twenty dollars for residents, forty dollars for nonresidents, and five dollars for resident seniors.

(3) A temporary fishing license is valid for two consecutive days and allows the holder to fish for or possess fish taken from state waters or offshore waters. The fee for this temporary fishing license is ((~~six~~)) twelve dollars for both residents and nonresidents. This license is not valid on game fish species for an eight-consecutive-day period beginning on the opening day of the lowland lake fishing season.

(4) A family fishing weekend license allows for a maximum of six anglers: One resident and five youth; two residents and four youth; or one resident, one nonresident, and four youth. This license allows the holders to fish for or possess fish taken from state waters or offshore waters. The fee for this license is twenty dollars. This license is only valid during periods as specified by rule of the department.

(5) The commission may adopt rules to create and sell combination licenses for all hunting and fishing activities at or below a fee equal to the total cost of the individual license contained within any combination.

Sec. 3. RCW 77.32.520 and 2000 c 107 s 27 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A personal use shellfish and seaweed license is required for all persons other than residents or nonresidents under fifteen years of age to fish for, take, dig for, or possess seaweed or shellfish for personal use from state waters or offshore waters including national park beaches.

(2) The fees for annual personal use shellfish and seaweed licenses are:

(a) For a resident fifteen years of age or older, seven dollars;

(b) For a nonresident fifteen years of age or older, ((~~twenty~~)) twenty-eight dollars; and

(3) The license fee for a two-day personal use shellfish and seaweed license is ((~~six~~)) twelve dollars for residents or nonresidents fifteen years of age or older.

(4) The personal use shellfish and seaweed license shall be visible on the licensee while harvesting shellfish or seaweed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The fee increases proposed in RCW 77.32.470 and 77.32.520 must be implemented in the department of fish and wildlife's license fee structure for the license year beginning April 1, 2002.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect March 15, 2002.