SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1725

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Parks, Fish & Wildlife, April 1, 2003

Title: An act relating to catch record cards.

Brief Description: Concerning the cost of a catch record card.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooper and Upthegrove).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Parks, Fish & Wildlife: 3/31/03, 4/1/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PARKS, FISH & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Sheahan, Vice Chair; Doumit, Esser, Jacobsen, Morton, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff: Kari Guy (786-7437)

Background: The Department of Fish and Wildlife requires recreational fishers to report harvest activity on a catch record card for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. Catch record cards are provided free with the purchase of a license. Additional catch record cards are provided by license dealers on request, and are also free of charge. Fishers are responsible for returning the completed catch record cards to the department at the end of the license year, so that information on the cards can be used to manage future harvests.

Summary of Amended Bill: There is no cost for an initial catch record card. Additional cards and duplicate cards are $10. Catch record cards attached to a temporary, short-term license are not subject to the charge. Funds from the sale of catch record cards are deposited in the wildlife account. The department must include provisions for noting marked and unmarked salmon on the catch record card.

Amended Bill Compared to Second Substitute Bill: Catch record cards issued with temporary two-day licenses are exempt from the $10 charge. The department must include provisions for noting marked and unmarked salmon on the catch record card. An effective date of April 1, 2004 is added.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect April 1, 2004.

Testimony For: Sports fishers support having people who fish more than average pay an additional fee to help support the department. The bill should include a delayed effective date and require that fishers note marked or unmarked salmon on the catch record card.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Morris Barker, WDFW (pro); Frank Urabeck, NW Marina Trade Assn. (pro if amended).