S-4230.2  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6790

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Spanel and Gardner)

READ FIRST TIME 02/12/2002.

Increasing personal use shellfish license fees.

    AN ACT Relating to authorizing the increase of personal use shellfish license fees to fund biotoxin testing and monitoring by the department of health of beaches used for recreational shellfishing; adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that testing and monitoring of beaches used for recreational shellfishing is essential to ensure the health of recreational shellfishers.  The legislature also finds that it is essential to have a stable and reliable source of funding for such biotoxin testing and monitoring.  The legislature also finds that the cost of the resident and nonresident personal use shellfish and seaweed licenses is undervalued and not properly aligned with neighboring states and provinces.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 77.32 RCW to read as follows:

    In addition to the fees authorized in this chapter, the department shall include a surcharge to fund biotoxin testing and monitoring by the department of health of beaches used for recreational shellfishing.  A surcharge of two dollars applies to the following licenses:  (1) Resident and nonresident shellfish and seaweed licenses as authorized by RCW 77.32.520(2)(a); and (2) resident and nonresident adult combination licenses as authorized by RCW 77.32.470(2)(a).  Amounts collected from this surcharge must be deposited in the general fund‑-local account managed by the department of health.

    Amounts in excess of the annual costs of the department of health recreational shellfish testing and monitoring program shall be transferred to the general fund by the department of health.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The fee increase proposed in this act 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. 4.  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 immediately.

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