HB 1476

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1476

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Amended by the Senate

Brief Description: Modifying provisions with regard to nonsalmon charter licenses.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt and VanDeWege.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Strow.

Background:

A charter license is required from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in order to operate a vessel where paying customers fish for shellfish or food fish. A salmon charter license is required to fish for salmon and shellfish. No new salmon charter licenses have been authorized for issuance since May 28, 1977. A salmon charter license can be acquired if transferred from a current salmon charter license holder. In addition, the salmon charter license survives the death of the holder and may be transferred as personal property through inheritance.

Current salmon charter license holders may either renew their license each year, or notify the WDFW to hold their license for renewal the following year. According to the WDFW, there were 141 salmon charter licenses in 2006.

There is an annual fee of $685 for nonresidents and $380 for residents. Both residents and nonresidents are subject to a $100 salmon enhancement surcharge as well.

A charter boat licensed in Oregon may fish in designated Washington waters without a Washington license, but are subject to Oregon's own fishing quotas. Recreational fishers must have a recreational license to fish for albacore tuna.

Summary of Bill:

The operator of a charter boat wishing to fish for albacore tuna must acquire a salmon charter license.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

The WDFW is required to develop and implement a program that will research and conduct a stock assessment of the rockfish populations in Washington. The required rockfish research is funded through a series of surcharges on fishing licenses. Surcharges on commercial licenses and salmon charter license renewals are set at $35, and surcharges on recreational licenses are set at 50 cents.

The revenue generated from the surcharges is to be deposited into the newly created Rockfish Research Account (Account). The account is a nonappropriated account and expenditures may only be authorized by the Director of the WDFW. The revenue in the Account may be used only for rockfish research, including assessment of stocks.

There is an emergency clause as well.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill follows up on the tuna measure from last year, and should be viewed as a technical matter to ensure consistency with recreational fishing of albacore tuna. Recreational albacore tuna has been a major fishery on the Washington coast for many decades. The North Pacific stock of albacore is being exploited by Pacific Rim nations. The international forum asked member nations to put a cap on albacore fishing efforts at current levels, and this bill implements that request. Non-salmon charter licenses have not been used for albacore tuna fishing in the past.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Blake, prime sponsor; Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fisheries; Mark Cedargreen, Westport Charter Boat Association; and Michele Culver, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.