BILL REQ. #:  H-4225.1 

Read first time 01/17/2006.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to coastal crab fisheries licenses; and amending RCW 77.70.350.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 77.70.350 and 1994 c 260 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The following restrictions apply to vessel designations and substitutions on Dungeness crab-coastal fishery licenses and Dungeness crab-coastal class B fishery licenses:
     (a) The holder of the license may not:
     (i) Designate on the license a vessel the hull length of which exceeds ninety-nine feet((, nor may the holder)); or
     (ii) Change vessel designation if the hull length of the vessel proposed to be designated exceeds the greatest hull length ((of the currently designated vessel)) designated on the license on or after the effective date of this section by more than ten feet;
     (b) If the hull length of the vessel proposed to be designated is comparable to or exceeds by up to one foot the hull length of the currently designated vessel, the department may change the vessel designation no more than once in any two consecutive Washington state coastal crab seasons unless the currently designated vessel is lost or in disrepair such that it does not safely operate, in which case the department may allow a change in vessel designation;
     (c) If the hull length of the vessel proposed to be designated exceeds by between one and ten feet the hull length of the ((currently)) designated vessel on the effective date of this section, the department may change the vessel designation no more than once ((in any five consecutive Washington state coastal crab seasons)) on or after the effective date of this section, unless a request is made by the license holder during a Washington state coastal crab season for an emergency change in vessel designation. If such an emergency request is made, the director may allow a temporary change in designation to another vessel, if the hull length of the other vessel does not exceed by more than ten feet the hull length of the currently designated vessel.
     (2) For the purposes of this section, "hull length" means the length of a vessel's hull as shown by United States coast guard documentation or marine survey, or for vessels that do not require United States coast guard documentation, by manufacturer's specifications or marine survey.