SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5207

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Parks, Fish & Wildlife, March 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to catch record cards.

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

Sponsors: Senator Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Parks, Fish & Wildlife: 2/25/03, 3/3/03 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means: 3/7/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PARKS, FISH & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5207 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Staff: Kari Guy (786-7437)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff: Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

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. The department uses the information on the catch record cards to manage harvest.

Summary of Substitute 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original 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: April 1, 2004.

Testimony For: The department needs money to offset potential cuts. This proposal only requires people who fish more than the average amount to pay the additional fee. This will also improve data collection.

Testimony Against: Temporary licenses should be exempt.

Testified: Frank Hawley, Susan Markey, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (pro); Mark Cedergreen, Wesport/Ilwaco Charterboat Assn. (pro); Corey Freeman, NW Sportfishing Industry Assn. (pro); Frank Urabeck, NW Marine Trade Assn. (pro).