HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1082
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 Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to the requirements for displaying the proper licenses while harvesting shellfish or seaweed.
Brief Description: Requiring that certain shellfish and seaweed harvest license be available for inspection.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, Takko, Curtis, VanDeWege, Hunt, Eickmeyer, Pettigrew, Morrell, Springer, Flannigan and Simpson).
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 1/15/07, 1/22/07 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/29/07, 95-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/3/07, 47-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/14/07, 94-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 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, Strow and VanDeWege.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
A person over the age of 15 must purchase a personal use shellfish and seaweed license from
the Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) prior to harvesting either shellfish or
seaweed from state waters or from national park beaches. The license costs $7 for residents
of Washington and $20 for residents of other states or countries. Seniors may purchase a
license for $5.
Likewise, a person interested in harvesting razor clams for personal use must purchase a
razor clam license. The cost of a one-day razor clam license is $5.50 for state residents, and
$11 for individuals that are not residents of Washington. A three-day razor clam license is
also available for an additional cost.
The license holder is required to display the appropriate license in a visible manner on his or
her person while actually engaged in the act of harvesting shellfish, razor clams, or seaweed.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
License Display
The requirement that a harvester of shellfish, razor clams, or seaweed must display the actual
license on his or her person is removed. The harvester must still be in immediate possession
of an appropriate license and make the license available for inspection when requested to do
so.
License Sales Monitoring
The Department is required to monitor the sales of razor clam, shellfish, and seaweed
licenses for four years. If the license sales drop more than 10 percent from current levels
during the monitoring period, the Department must report the sales data to the Legislature.
The report to the Legislature must also contain any relevant information regarding the reasons
for the decrease in license sales.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The current requirement that licences be displayed was enacted to facilitate
enforcement; however, in reality it has been found to not enhance the ability of enforcement
authorities to identify violations. Allowing for licenses to not be displayed on the clothing of
a person eliminates the need for duplicate paperwork and avoids the harvesters losing their
licenses in high winds and foul weather.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Blake, prime sponsor; and Mike Cenci, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.