Brief Description: Allowing the fish and wildlife commission to set a transaction fee on recreational documents issued through an automated licensing system.

Sponsors: Senator Oke.

Hearing Date: 3/28/03

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

The Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) has the authority to issue recreational hunting and fishing licenses, tags, and stamps, as well as raffle tickets and vehicle access permits. The Commission has also been delegated the responsibility to establish the methods for distributing licenses and collecting the licencing fees.

In 2001, a computerized licensing system was installed to manage the distribution of all recreational hunting and fishing licenses. The development and management of the computer system was outsourced to a private company, who may be reimbursed by a transaction fee on the sale of any recreational license. The amount of the transaction fee may be established by the Commission, and is currently 9.5 percent of the license cost. The authorizing statute (RCW 77.32.050) provides the express authority to collect a transaction fee on license sales, but is silent on the sales of other documents, such as tags, permits, and stamps.

Summary of Bill:

The Commission is provided the authority to set the transaction fee on all recreational documents issued through the automated licencing system, and is no longer just limited to recreational licenses.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.