BILL REQ. #:  S-2726.1 

Read first time 04/10/2003.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing the increase of shellfish license fees to fund shellfish biotoxin testing and monitoring; adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW; and creating new sections.

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, and to fund monitoring by the Olympic region harmful algal bloom program of the Olympic natural resources center at the University of Washington. A surcharge of three dollars applies to resident and nonresident shellfish and seaweed licenses as authorized by RCW 77.32.520(2) (a) and (b); and a surcharge of two dollars applies to resident and nonresident adult combination licenses as authorized by RCW 77.32.470(2)(a). Amounts collected from these surcharges must be deposited in the general fund--local account managed by the department of health, except that one hundred fifty thousand dollars per year shall be deposited in the general fund--local account managed by the University of Washington.
     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, 2004.