Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
SB 5356
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. |
Brief Description: Regarding direct retail licenses issued by the department of fish and wildlife.
Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Jacobsen.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date:
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117)
Background:
Direct Retail Endorsements.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is required to offer a direct retail endorsement to commercial crab, salmon, and sturgeon license holders. The direct retail endorsement serves as a single permit that entitles the holder to clean, dress, and sell his or her catch directly to a consumer at the retail level [RCW 77.64.5101].
The direct retail endorsement is an optional addition to an underlying commercial fishing license. The holders of commercial crab, salmon, or sturgeon licenses may add a direct retail endorsement to their licenses at any time. If one individual holds a commercial license for more than one qualifying species, then that person need only add one direct retail endorsement to cover all species being harvested.
Alternate Operators.
As a general rule, only the person named on a commercial fishing license may fish under that license, and only the named person may operate the specific vessel identified on the license. However, there is a process that allows an alternate operator to be named. An alternate operator may operate the vessel specified on the commercial fishing license and catch fish under the license [RCW 77.65.130].
All alternate operators must be at least 16 years old and possess an alternate operator's license. Most commercial fishing license holders can designate up to two alternate operators for each license.
Summary of Bill:
An alternate operator to a commercial fishing license is authorized to obtain a direct retail endorsement from the WDFW. The alternate operator has the same rights and responsibilities relating to the direct retail endorsement as the fishing license holder.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.