Brief Description: Concerning group fishing permits.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senator Oke).

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

Background: According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the agency has sponsored and conducted more than 70 on-the-water fishing events involving young people, almost all of whom are age 14 and younger, since 2002.

For those age 14 and under, no license is needed to fish in Washington. Those age 15 are required to have a youth fishing license in order to fish, which allows both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Those young people age 16 and older must have an annual combination license, an annual freshwater or saltwater license, or a short-term combination license in order to fish.

Current law recognizes group fishing permits which allow a group of individuals to fish and harvest shellfish without individual licenses or the payment of individual license fees. The Director of DFW must issue a group fishing permit on a seasonal basis to state-operated facilities or state-licensed nonprofit facilities or programs for certain disabled persons, ill persons, or senior citizens in the care of such a facility.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission must adopt rules that provide the conditions under which a group fishing permit must be issued.

Summary: In addition to current authority, the Director of DFW may set conditions and issue a group fishing permit to groups working in partnership with and participating in DFW outdoor education programs. At the discretion of the Director, a processing fee may be applied.

The adoption of rules that set conditions under which group fishing permits are issued by DFW is made discretionary.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      49   0
House      97   0

Effective: June 7, 2006