HB 1025 - DIGEST

Recognizes that the department of fish and wildlife is charged with the responsibility of managing the state's fish and wildlife populations.

Declares that, in order to accomplish this goal, the legislature recognizes that often elaborate and at times complex laws may be necessary.

Finds that these laws, although necessary, can be confusing to the average sportsperson. Too often a hunter or fisher may wish to comply with the state's hunting and fishing laws, only to find that he or she did not properly interpret their meaning.

Finds that, as historically drafted, the fish and wildlife code provides for a series of criminal infractions. The result of this construction is that a well-meaning sportsperson may face criminal charges if he or she unintentionally misunderstands or misinterprets a hunting or fishing law.

Declares that the sports people of Washington deserve the benefit of the state's doubt that many first-time offenses are unintentional and are the unfortunate result of the complexity of modern wildlife management.