SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2621

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Parks, Fish & Wildlife, February 24, 2004

Title: An act relating to personal use licenses for shellfish harvest.

Brief Description: Concerning personal use shellfish licenses.

Sponsors: House Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, Orcutt, Hatfield and Flannigan).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Parks, Fish & Wildlife: 2/24/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PARKS, FISH & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Kari Guy (786-7437)

Background: In order to harvest shellfish, including razor clams, any person over 15 years of age must first obtain an annual personal use shellfish and seaweed license or a two-day combination license. The annual personal use shellfish license costs $7.00 for residents of Washington, $20.00 for nonresidents and $5.00 for a person over the age of 70. Annual shellfish license fees are deposited in the general fund. The two-day combination license costs $6.00. Combination license fees are deposited in the wildlife account.

In addition to the license fee, a purchaser of an annual shellfish license must pay a $3.00 surcharge to fund biotoxin testing and monitoring for shellfish, and research into harmful algal blooms.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) uses personal information provided at the time of shellfish license purchase to later survey crab fishers for catch information. Persons purchasing a shellfish license solely for the purpose of harvesting razor clams must still provide all personal information, because the license authorizes crab fishing as well.

Summary of Bill: An annual and a three-day razor clam license is created. The license allows for the noncommercial harvest of razor clams from state waters and national park beaches. The annual razor clam license costs $5.50 for a Washington resident, including seniors, and $11 for a nonresident. Annual license fees are deposited in the general fund. The three-day razor clam license costs $3.50 for both residents and non-residents. Three-day license fees are deposited in the wildlife account.

In addition, the razor clam licenses are assessed a surcharge for biotoxin testing and monitoring. The surcharge for the annual license is $2.00, and the surcharge for the three-day license is $1.00.

When issuing the annual and three-day razor clam licenses, DFW may only require that an applicant show proof of residency. DFW may not require additional personal information to be provided.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Small businesses on the Olympic peninsula are severely impacted by the rush of people to buy shellfish licenses. This bill will simplify the license process, and increase efficiency for both WDFW and the retail stores.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Rep. Blake, prime sponsor; Frank Hawley, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife.