Brief Description: Modifying the definition of "resident" for the purposes of Title 77 RCW.

Sponsors: By Representatives Buri, Kretz, Green, Grant, Newhouse, Blake, DeBolt, Orcutt, Haler, B. Sullivan and Buck.

House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks
Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation

Background:

A recreational license issued by the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) is required for any person to participate in a hunting, trapping, or fishing season. The fees for these licenses are set in statute, and many fees are set so that participants that are not Washington residents pay a higher rate. For instance, Washington residents pay $18 for a saltwater fishing license and non-residents are required to pay $36 for the same license. Likewise, the resident price for a small game license is set at $30 and the non-resident price is $150.

A person can qualify for the resident rate if he or she has satisfied three requirements:

• the maintenance of a permanent home within Washington for at least 90 days before applying to the Department for a licence;
• the establishment of an intent to continue living in Washington; and
• not possessing a current license to hunt or fish in another state as a resident of that state.

Summary:

A person under the age of 18 who does not reside in Washington is able to purchase a hunting and fishing license from the Department at the lower resident rate if his or her parent qualifies for the resident rate.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   92   0
Senate   46   0

Effective: July 24, 2005